Articles

Conflict within teams is often viewed negatively, but when managed well, it can drive innovation and creativity. Managers play a key role in guiding team members through these inevitable challenges, enabling differing opinions to emerge and fostering constructive debate. Yet, with competing pressures, it can be tempting for managers to ignore issues or impose a solution to save time and move on. To reap the rewards of healthy team conflict, here are three approaches that will help to explore different perspectives and navigate conflict constructively.

Gen Z's arrival into the workforce has also brought with it a new set of values and expectations, including work/life balance and personal wellbeing. Gen Z is also more values-driven and socially conscious than previous generations. They seek leaders who share their values and expect organisations to take meaningful action. This can cause friction with other generations but, when managed well, generationally-diverse teams can bring a richness in approach, ideas and culture.

Calling all fixers, ostriches and bureaucrats, it’s time to try the owl approach to management – Anna Shields explains

Effective communication is like a two-way street; information and ideas must travel both ways to reach a shared destination of mutual understanding. A successful journey is just as much about inbound communication—listening—as it is about outbound communication—speaking.

What is in store for learning and development this year? We’ve asked 11 industry experts to share their key predictions for 2025.

At the end of the year, when colleagues come together to celebrate the festive season, this can bring joy as well as conflict. When we watch others struggle with conflict, we may want to step into the role of peacemaker. Whether it's a potential conflict at the office party or a heated disagreement around the Christmas table, here are 12 essential peacemaking tips from a workplace mediator: six things to try and six things to avoid when you help others to find a resolution to their issues.

Kindness is not usually a word one associates with conflict. When a teammate feels wronged by a colleague, the focus tends to be on establishing who’s right and who’s wrong. Emotions are often running high, both in the heat of the moment and after one has dwelt on the situation. Summoning the desire and generosity to show kindness in a conflict situation is challenging.

A recent report from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)* highlighted two important findings: a significant gap in conflict resolution skills, and a marked divide between employers and employees.

Two thirds of employees involved in disagreements at work don't feel it was resolved - but businesses believe they're doing enough. How can HR close this critical gap?