If you have ever found yourself at loggerheads with a colleague, read on.
People in organisations fall out all the time, even nice people over silly things! This can even be constructive and helpful, throwing up problems that may not otherwise have been talked about. However, if we are honest, few of us find such times of disagreement easy.
One of the most common reasons for such disputes can be a clash of cultures. We all approach our jobs with a set of values and beliefs that shape the way we work and think and this is particularly so in charities and churches, where our values and beliefs are, after all, usually the main reason we are there is the first place.
When these collide, disagreement can follow, disagreement that can seem out of proportion to the importance of what might be at stake. This is often because what is really at issue is not just what is being talked about, but also those deeply held values and beliefs; there is a clash of those individual cultures to put it another way. These cultures are often not primarily rational or logical, however much people may rationalise the views they hold as a result of them, but that does not make them any less important.
Indeed, it is vital that we seek to understand this individual culture (both ours and other people’s) if we are to begin to work out why they (and we) may be disagreeing. But it is equally important that we understand our organisational culture, the values and beliefs that underlie who we are and what we do. Once we are clearer about the latter, resolving any disputes may be easier, as we check any decision made with the extent to which it aligns with that corporate culture, as against the culture of any one individual.
Of course, that is not to say that disagreements at work will be easy all of a sudden!
If there are issues in your organisation where you would appreciate some help exploring this further, please contact me to talk more