The Manager's Secret Weapon: Tapping into Your Instincts for Conflict-Busting Success

As a manager, you often have to deal with arguments or disagreements at work. While there are rules and steps to follow, sometimes your own instincts can be your best tool. Let's look at how trusting your gut feeling can help you solve workplace problems better.

1. Listen to Your Inner Voice
   

Your gut feeling is like a little voice inside you that comes from all your past experiences. When you're dealing with a problem:

• Pay attention to what your gut is telling you

• Think about why you might be feeling that way

• Use this feeling as a starting point to look deeper into the issue
  

Why it's good: Your gut feeling can help you spot problems quickly and find solutions faster.

1. Read People's Emotions

Good managers can often tell how people are feeling without being told. Use this skill by:

• Watching how people act and talk

• Noticing when people seem upset before they say anything

• Changing how you talk to people based on how they seem to feel

Why it's good: When you understand how people feel, you can stop problems before they get bigger.

1. See the Big Picture

Your instincts can help you see how different things are connected. Use this to:

• Understand how one problem might be linked to other issues at work

• Think about how solving one problem might affect other things

• Come up with solutions that fix both the current problem and prevent future ones

Why it's good: This helps you solve problems in a way that makes things better for everyone in the long run.

1. Be a Good Example

Managers should show others how to behave. During arguments:

• Act the way you want your team to act

• Stay calm, even when things get heated

• Know when to step in and when to let people work things out themselves

Why it's good: When you set a good example, your team learns how to handle problems better.

1. Be Flexible

Good managers know when to change their plans. When dealing with problems:

• Be ready to try something new if your first idea isn't working

• Trust yourself to come up with new ideas on the spot

• Recognize when a problem needs a special solution

Why it's good: Being flexible helps you find better solutions that fit each specific situation.

1. Be Fair

Your instincts can help you be fair to everyone. Use this by:

• Trying to understand all sides of an argument

• Making sure everyone feels heard and respected

• Making decisions that feel right, even if they're hard

Why it's good: When people feel you're being fair, they trust you more and work better together.

1. Use Your People Skills

Experienced managers are often good at talking to people. In arguments:

• Choose your words carefully to fit each person

• Know when to be firm and when to be understanding

• Build good relationships, even when things are tense

Why it's good: Good people skills can calm arguments quickly and make your team stronger.

Your instincts as a manager are like a superpower that you've built up over time. By trusting your gut and using these skills, you can handle workplace problems better. Remember, while following rules is important, it's often your natural understanding of people and situations that really helps solve problems.

Next time you face a problem at work, take a moment to listen to your instincts. You might be surprised at how much they can help. By using your natural skills along with the rules, you can turn arguments into chances for your team to grow and work better together.