In this thought-provoking conversation on the SME Strategy Podcast, we dig into how conflict, often considered negative, can be a powerful catalyst for growth.
Drawing parallels to dance, Dana Caspersen, TedX speaker and author of 'Conflict is an Opportunity,' explains that tension is a natural part of creation and progress.
When people care deeply about something, conflict emerges- presenting an opportunity for understanding and progress.
But how do you navigate that tension effectively, especially within strategic planning?
Dana stresses the importance of addressing the situation, not the person. This is paramount in strategic planning sessions. A skilled strategic planning facilitator can guide teams away from personal attacks and towards collaborative problem-solving. We help teams understand that framing difficulties in a way that includes everyone involved is vital for creating a shared understanding and moving forward together.
Approaching conflict with genuine curiosity, as Dana suggests, is a powerful tool. Our strategic planning facilitation sessions emphasize active listening and open dialogue, encouraging participants to explore diverse viewpoints. We foster an accountable space for stakeholders to voice concerns and contribute meaningfully, ensuring that all perspectives are heard and validated in stakeholder engagement sessions.
As Dana notes, when you’re the CEO, "you're going to be missing information, and you're going to be trying to make unilateral decisions without all of the info that you need. And so the solutions that you come up with (when they are unilateral) are usually going to be less effective."
Just as Dana illustrates in this episode, navigating conflict is akin to 'dancing,' where tension is essential for creative movement. Avoiding this tension, however, leads to missed information, simmering resentment, and ineffective, ad-hoc solutions. This is particularly damaging during strategic planning, where unresolved conflicts can derail both strategic planning workshops and plan execution. Effective strategic planning empowers all stakeholders to contribute their unique skills and knowledge. In our strategic planning process, we establish clear ground rules for meetings, fostering effective team communication techniques to ensure a productive environment. Our strategic planning process helps teams make conscious, data-driven decisions that align with strategic priorities. Building on this proactive approach, we further ensure successful strategy implementation by embedding conflict management strategies throughout the planning process.
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Dana suggests that leaders make requests, not demands, to foster collaboration and gather information. Dana sees ‘requests as an investigative tool’ to both avoid missing information and making unilateral decisions which are typically less effective. Strategic planning facilitation demonstrates this principle, where strategic planning facilitators help leaders frame their objectives as requests for input, promoting buy-in and ownership, and ensuring a smooth strategic planning process. By avoiding demands, you encourage a space of psychological safety and open dialogue.
To ensure a comprehensive understanding of needs and perspectives, this approach extends to stakeholder engagement, where requests for input are gathered from diverse stakeholders
If you’re looking to improve team effectiveness and communication or are planning for stakeholder engagement, our workshops and facilitated sessions can help you achieve your goals.
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Conflict presents an opportunity to become more aware of your decisions and interactions. SME Strategy offers workshops and facilitation services that build your team's capacity for constructive conflict resolution and strategic alignment. By fostering conscious decision-making, we help teams navigate challenges and achieve their objectives.
Dana's book, "Conflict is an Opportunity," serves as a practical guide for navigating conflict. If you are looking to navigate conflict and build strategic alignment within your team, consider SME Strategy's strategic planning facilitation services. We can help you turn conflict into a catalyst for growth and achieve your organizational objectives.
00:00 The Dance of Conflict: An Introduction
10:01 Understanding Conflict as an Opportunity
20:05 Navigating Power Dynamics in Conflict
LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST
To hear the full conversation with Dana and Anthony, tune in to the SME Strategy + Leadership Podcast.
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Dana Caspersen is a conflict engagement specialist, TEDx speaker, and best-selling author of "Conflict is an Opportunity" and "Changing The Conversation." With a 40-year background in performing arts, she offers unique conflict resolution insights. She empowers individuals and organizations globally through training and dialogue design, focusing on mindful decision-making and practical tools for navigating conflict.
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