Conflict Resolution in the Tech Industry: A Personal Approach

Introduction

In Technology business it is somehow common to work with colleagues from various backgrounds, including different countries and regions, this can sometimes present challenges like: Cultural differences, norms, values, and communication styles that could result in misinterpretations and conflicts.

The longevity of a company and the tenure of its employees can make a difference in whether you enjoy your work or feel compelled to seek new employment.

Defining Your Personal Convictions And Beliefs

Let's talk seriously. You cannot suffer from everything or be offended by anything. Things are going to happen and not many will be in your favor. The life is harder every day for some random people that could include you because bad luck or provoked events, but that doesn't mean you need to be harmed every time.

My suggestion regarding random events is to simply act normally and step aside if an eventuality comes to your way, but don't take it personally unless it is necessary. If you don't adopt this perspective, you will find yourself living in pain every day and every minute of your life, trust me I know the feeling.

Besides luck and coincidences, when you categorize what brings you happiness or success in your personal and professional life, you will begin to minimize the impact of various situations and become less easily offended. This approach is better than being offended by everything.

Living in a state of constant outrage and anger is difficult, and I don't understand why we need to live in that way. These emotions can lead to sadness, and they spread like a disease, affecting both your work and personal life. They can grind your productivity and bring your emotions to a wasteful state. Ultimately, the only person who suffers the most is you, as well as your loved ones.

So, you need to start defining your own convictions and creating a list that better represents you and what is important to you, to start discarding what things to do not pay attention to them.

My Personal Approach On Conflict Resolution

Let's assume you have a job with decent pay that allows you to maintain a comfortable lifestyle and meet your needs. In today's world, that doesn't sound too bad. However, even with these advantages, if your workplace is plagued by toxic teams and poor work habits, you'll face a difficult decision between staying and leaving. It becomes a choice between happiness and enduring a hostile environment that undermines your productivity and collaboration efforts.

So then, what does a person do in that kind of eventuality, like a toxic environment or hateful co-workers?

A good approach is to try to understand the underlying reasons behind their behavior. These kinds of individuals may sometimes be more transgressors than aggressors.

So why transgressors and not aggressors?

“Transgressors” refers to individuals who may unintentionally cross boundaries or violate norms without actively seeking to harm others. It suggests that their behavior might stem from personal struggles, lack of awareness, or other factors that contribute to their actions.

Dealing with a toxic job and work culture has become increasingly challenging, and I'd like to share my humble experience in handling such situations without losing dignity, staying professional, and not hating yourself.

I don't know if it's due to bad luck, happenstance, me paying for some devilish sin from my past, or simply making poor choices when switching jobs, seriously I have definitely gained experience in dealing with this difficult situation. So, here are the techniques I use in those moments:

You could start by analyzing the situation

Evaluate the nature and severity of the toxic behavior. Determine if it's a one-time incident or a recurring pattern. Additionally, assess whether the microaggressions are directed solely towards you or if they occur between other team members as well. Consider if there is a general transgressive environment within your organization.

Document incidents, use your gather information skills

Keep a record of specific incidents, including dates, times and details. This documentation will serve as evidence if you need to report the behavior later, you could make a file on an Excel sheet with different columns, just be careful with gathering the information and pieces of evidence, as recording people is not allowed in some countries and could result in your advantage being taken away.

I always try to establish open communication

Engage in open and honest conversations with your difficult coworkers. This will help you address any concerns or issues directly but remember to do so in a respectful manner. You will be able to clearly express your perspective and actively listen to their viewpoint as well. By doing this, you can establish common ground and enforce understanding between both parties.

Use your Empathy and Understanding skills

Use your empathy and understanding skills. Try to put yourself in the shoes of your difficult teammates and understand their motivations from a human perspective. This can help you recognize unique circumstances and experiences that may impact their behavior or performance at work. Remember, your colleagues are humans too, and they could be having a bad day, going through a tough time, or dealing with personal issues or illnesses. At this point, you might be thinking that their problems are not your responsibility, and you're absolutely right. However, being kind and understanding can make you a better person and a better professional. It can also develop your leadership skills. So, in addition to overcoming their difficult personalities, you will be growing your inner self.

Always be a professional

You are a grown person who strives to be better every day and avoids unnecessary problems, and that's perfectly fine. It doesn't mean you're weak or coward, it means you prioritize handling situations with maturity. So, begin by establishing clear boundaries and maintaining a professional culture when dealing with difficult coworkers. Avoid getting involved in personal conflicts or office gossip. Threat others with respect and stay close to workplace standards. This approach will give you a stronger position in challenging discussions.

Use your BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement), not your fists!

Being aggressive might seem exciting in Hollywood movies with fictional characters like John Wick, but in the real world, it's crucial to resolve conflicts with peaceful methods.

Engaging in physical altercations can result in legal consequences and complicate matters beyond your limits. Do yourself a favor and avoid getting involved in fights it doesn’t matter if you believe you could win.

BATNA, which refers to the alternative course of action you can take if negotiations or discussions fail to reach a satisfactory resolution.

Here’s a smaller example:

Let's pretend you're a software developer and you're in a disagreement with your team lead over the implementation of a new feature in a project. You have different opinions on the best approach, and the discussion has become heated.

1. Identify the issue: You disagree with your team lead on a new project feature, the discussion has become heated.

2. Understand your BATNA: Step back and consider your best alternative solution. Propose an alternative approach that addresses your concerns and aligns with your expertise. It should be a viable option if negotiation fails.

3. Evaluate the consequences: Think about the negative outcomes of aggression. It can harm your professional reputation, relationships, and even have legal repercussions.

4. Calmly express concerns: Have a peaceful discussion with your team lead, explaining your viewpoint and concerns. Clearly communicate your alternative solution (BATNA) and how it meets project requirements.

5. Explore compromise: Find a middle ground by listening to your team lead's perspective. Make adjustments that address their concerns while staying true to your BATNA. Discuss potential compromises.

6. Assess the outcome: If negotiation fails, fall back on your BATNA. Revisit your alternative solution and present it as a viable course of action. Seek support from other team members or stakeholders who align with your approach. Showcase the benefits of your solution.

Seek for help

Do not hesitate to reach out to your manager or human resources for support. Discuss the challenges you are facing and explore potential solutions together.

Sometimes, seeking an outside perspective or intervention can be valuable in handling difficult situations. Remember, you don't have to face these challenges alone. It is not cowardly or make you less capable than others use some help, every situation is special and has different backgrounds and techniques to be solved.

However, be cautious about sharing sensitive information with colleagues or friends from work, as it can sometimes lead to gossip or unprofessional assistance that may exacerbate the problem. It's important to seek assistance from appropriate channels to avoid further complications.

Focus on personal growth

While addressing the situation externally, prioritize your personal growth and resilience. Engage in professional development, go to Gym, improve body and mind and surround yourself with positive influences.

My Personal Conclusion

At the heart of a harmonious workplace are people and work teams, transcending social and technical positions, embracing mutual respect, and acknowledging the intrinsic value of every individual. Each person is an irreplaceable asset, bringing unique contributions to the table. By fostering a culture of genuine appreciation and collaborative teamwork instead of internal competition, the environment becomes cohesive and peaceful. The focus is on unity, where everyone's strengths shine, and collective success becomes the ultimate objective for an organization.

References

1. Content of the Article: "De mi pecho caballero" or "From my heart, sir."

2. BATNA: Corporate Finance Institute. (2019, October 21). What is BATNA? Retrieved from https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/valuation/what-is-batna/

3. Image of the Article: Oxford Internet Institute. (2021). Justice figuring with binary background [Digital image]. Retrieved from https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Justice-figuring-with-binary-background.jpg