“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” ~Abraham Lincoln
Without question, when you put people in positions of power there will inevitably be conflict. When strong, confident leaders get together, it’s entirely common for disagreements to occur and even for tempers to flare. While there’s virtually no way to eliminate conflict in the workplace, there are things that can be done to manage it in a way that can actually be productive. If your property management c-suite is teeming with tension, here are a few tips to get things under control and moving in a positive direction.
Clearly define, communicate and reinforce roles
Much of what causes infighting amongst executives is a lack of clear roles. When every individual understands not only where they stand within your company, but also where everyone else does as well, the level of tension should begin to wane. Conflict can also be managed by recognizing and deferring to each team member’s expertise and unique strengths. When your leaders feel confident and comfortable in their individual roles, they’re much less likely to feel threatened.
Get the full scoop on How to Build an Extraordinary Property Management Team. Download our FREE RESOURCE GUIDE.
Make decisions a team effort
When only certain executives are responsible for making all the decisions, it can naturally lead to feelings of inadequacy and resentment. Whenever possible, implement shared decision-making in which all members of your high-powered property management team have an equal voice and are a part of the final say. Not only does shared power reduce the feeling of imbalance, but it also instills a sense of empowerment, which can help to ease tensions and create a more peaceful, democratic and diplomatic work environment.
Incorporate respect into your company culture
Having respect for one another shouldn’t be an afterthought. It should be built right into your property management company’s very culture. How can this be accomplished? By making a conscious effort to teach it, model it and reward it. The more you drive home the importance of mutual respect to everyone who works for your company – preferably from the moment they’re hired – the more ingrained it will become until it’s second nature. If necessary, weed out those who aren’t a good fit.
Related Post: 5 Easy Steps to Improve Your Property Management Team’s Morale
Provide conflict training
Don’t just expect your executive leadership to possess good conflict management skills. It’s not something that is innate to everyone. Instead, take a proactive approach by investing in ongoing training. Additionally, those in the highest positions can and should become living examples of how to best manage conflict in a positive, productive way. When a situation arises, those involved in the power struggle should be assisted and guided toward a peaceful resolution as quickly and painlessly as possible.
The c-suite may be viewed as a place where key decisions are made for the betterment of the business, but in reality, when you get a bunch of powerful and driven individuals together, conflicts almost always arises at some point. How you handle those situations can mean the difference between ongoing success or stagnation and implosion. Which path will you choose?
{{cta(‘b06cdd54-d9d9-4021-9090-c105db9af701′,’justifyright’)}}
Get the full scoop on How to Build an Extraordinary Property Management Team. Download our FREE RESOURCE GUIDE.
