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What to do when conflict happens?
Disagreement is a natural act and cannot be unlearned or trained away. This is not about achieving surface harmony or simply learning how to communicate constructively. Unless there is a sustainable way to disagree and stay connected, over time, old habits and patterns will invariably return.
Rather, this is about creating a constructive cycle of "comfortable" conflict. Conflict is not to be avoided: it is to be harnessed and used to create vital relationships and dynamic business solutions.
We have learned that private enterprises take on the unique
personality attributes of the people involved – both the good and the bad.
Perspectives and positions can
become entrenched. History can be as important as the present.
Creativity thrives in the convergence of
differing points of view. Generally, the more dynamic and intense, the better. This is how business owners and partners
prosper: they constructively integrate different ideas and approaches to
creatively solve problems. Like nuclear energy, when it is controlled and
harnessed, it can lead to extraordinary results; when out of control it can be
destructive. Some level of tension is critical to the growth and evolution of the enterprise.
However, this necessary creative tension ceases to be positive when it escalates into conflict. People then either separate or argue and the creative flow just stops. Any benefit that comes from the convergence of different points of view stops. This is a common phenomenon with close and long term relationships, whether they are business or personal, and particularly when money is at stake.
The key is to be able to disagree and stay constructively engaged
A careful, respectful, and flexible approach is required to solve the almost inevitable people problems that arise within these types of relationships and settings. When business and enterprise relationships get too frayed, it becomes too difficult to move forward in a constructive manner. The best ideas or approaches aren’t possible. No negotiation can lead to anything positive from this place. Everyone loses.
Unique approach and perspective
The Zelnick Group brings its experience in both business and psychology to assist business owners, partners, and family enterprises to better:
Collaborate and resolve conflicts
Develop effective organizational and decision-making “structures”
Make successful personal, inter-personal, and enterprise transitions
Chart a constructive and sustainable path forward
The Zelnick Group approach is based on the following idea:
Great creativity can be derived from great conflict.
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