Workplace Conflict? Reframe the Situation

When I coach employees experiencing workplace conflict, whether they are the CEO or a member of the production line, I use techniques to help them build their elastic mindset. You may notice it called “reframing” and that is appropriate term. We are building their capacity to see things in a different frame, like a window frame, that is, from a different viewpoint.  These techniques help when we are challenged with conflict or change by improving our elastic mindset.

Moving through conflict or change with an elastic mindset will improve your outcomes, build positive relationships and reduce your stress. Nurturing an elastic mindset takes some discipline and practice. Here are several reframing questions I like to use when coaching others (or myself) through conflict or change:

·      What can I learn from this experience / person / situation?

·      What do I actually need and what can I let go?

·      How can this help me grow?

·      How do I know this is true? What parts of this are true?

·      What must be true for this behavior to make sense?

·      In what ways do I contribute to the situation?

·      Am I willing to make a change for this to be better?

·      What do I need from this talk / meeting / situation?

·      What contributing factors are present here?

·      What do I not know yet? Am I willing to find out?

·      Can I try this new way to test it out?

·      Am I willing to be patient with myself and others in this process?

There are many more reframing questions and they all are designed to help you notice your current ideas about a change or confilct and challenge those ideas. Going through this reframing process will help build your mental elasticity so you can move through conflict or change more easily.

If you want to learn more about how to use reframing techniques, email us an info @ hrexecutivepartners.com or complete the request form.