Add the prefix ‘Productive’ to ‘Workplace Conflict’ through the Everything DiSC® Productive Conflict Assessment
The word ‘conflict’ has a web of negative connotations around it. The traditional attitude toward conflict has programmed us to avoid it at all costs.
But the latest research tells us an entirely different story. Conflict is just like the sunlight – it’s prevalent and it can be used constructively.
Why should you try to hush something up that carries the potential to further improve your team’s cohesion and productivity? Read on to learn how to use workplace conflict in your favor using the DiSC® assessment method.
Humans are emotional beings. Our emotions and resulting thoughts drive much of our lives.
And when emotions and ideas from opposite poles cross paths, conflict is inevitable. In the workplace, conflict is bound to arise because people are vying for the same resources and opportunities, and we don’t always see things from the same perspective.
But there is no need to feel stressed if you experience conflict on your team. You can turn conflict in to a good thing. All you have to do is to add the prefix ‘productive’ to ‘workplace conflict’ using the Everything DiSC® Productive Conflict assessment.
The section below gives you a guideline to start reimagining workplace conflict so that it can be used to take your creativity and productivity to the next level.
Turning Conflict on its Head using the DiSC® method
In conflict, people use various behaviors. Some of these behaviors are destructive, causing ill-will and turmoil, but some behaviors contribute to the team’s creativity and productivity. Here is a brief list of the destructive and productive behaviors of all four DiSC® personality types.
An awareness of these styles’ responses to conflict can help you reframe the situation so that everybody starts working in harmony instead of remaining stuck in the conflict loop.
D’ Style in Workplace Conflict
D style destructive tendencies:
- Creating a win-lose situation
- Unwilling to bend
- Overpowers others
D style Productive behaviors:
- Being straightforward
- Willing to debate
- Acknowledging tough issues
‘i’ Style in Workplace Conflict
‘i’ style destructive behaviors:
- Being emotional
- Talking over others
- Minimizing tension
‘i’ style productive tendencies:
- Encouraging dialogue
- Providing reassurance
- Communicating with empathy
‘S’ Style in Workplace Conflict
‘S’ style destructive tendencies:
- Withdrawing
- Giving in
- Ignoring problems
‘S’ style productive conflict behaviors:
- Communicating tactfully
- Finding compromise
- Looking out for co-worker’s feelings
‘C’ Style in Workplace Conflict
‘C’ style destructive behaviors:
- Passive aggressive
- Being overly critical
- Isolating self
‘C’ style productive conflict behaviors:
- Focusing on the facts
- Ability to problem-solve
- Giving people space
Elements of the Everything DiSC® Productive Conflict Report
After responding to the assessment questions in the Everything DiSC® Productive Conflict Profile, you will get a detailed report about how you respond to conflict. The report doesn’t end here. You’ll also see how you compare with others on the conflict map and how your interactions can more productive.
Here are the major points that the Everything DiSC® Productive Conflict Profile covers:
- Your DiSC® Style in Conflict
- Your focus areas during conflict
- What stresses you during conflict
- Your comparison with all other DiSC® styles during conflict
- Tips for how to turn conflict with all four styles into a productive interaction
- A list of common destructive responses to conflict
- The reasons behind your responses
- Tip for how to change your automatic responses to a productive responses
- Questions to reflect on your DiSC® style in the context of conflict
Based on these behavioral patterns of each style, you can manage any inevitable conflict and convert it into an advantageous element instead of acting on your instinct to get rid of it.
Foundation of Everything DiSC® Productive Conflict Profile
Everything DiSC® Productive Conflict is standing on the strong shoulders of rigorous research and painstaking clinical trials rooted in the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
In addition to treating psychological disorders, Mayo Clinic states that “CBT can be an effective tool to help anyone learn how to better manage stressful life situations.”
CBT is based on the principle that our thinking patterns are the root cause of our behaviors. Our negative thoughts can lead to emotional distress and destructive behaviors.
When facing conflict, CBT targets the thoughts, especially as soon as they emerge. Immediate awareness of thoughts brings them into our consciousness. Here we can audit those negative thoughts and get rid of them or convert them into positive ones.
Here is a visual depicting the interplay of thoughts, emotions, and behavior:
Everything DiSC® Productive Conflict Profile harnesses the power of CBT to overturn your automatic counterproductive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors into productive ones leading to favorable outcomes for you and your organization.
If you look closely at the list of areas covered in the Everything DiSC® Productive Conflict Report, you’ll notice that the last half is focused on your natural response to conflict and how to turn it into a positive and productive one.
You’re in Control
This powerful tool makes you aware of the powerful knowledge that you can actually choose your response in any conflict situation. With this knowledge, you can be in complete control of your internal processes as well as your responses to conflict. This feels like having a superpower!.
Famous author Max Lucado’s words convey an essential message about your response to conflict. He said that “Conflict is inevitable but combat is optional.”
There’s no need to waste resources on useless battles. It’s a lose-lose for everyone involved.
Instead, exercise the power of your awareness and choose the most constructive response that leverages the energy that’s generated in conflict situations.
If you’re ready to make conflict work in your favor, head over to our Everything DiSC® Productive Conflict page to get started.
