Staff Meetings - A Conflict management tool?

One of the best ways to prevent and resolve conflict is through effective communication. When employees begin to distrust management or the organization, it is often because of a lack of transparency or clear communication. When managers communicate well and often with their teams, they will reap the benefits of good, multi-way communication.
 
Good, multi-way communication can:
- Ease tension
- Build trust
- Strengthen relationships
- Help put employees at ease because they feel mutually understood
 
Staff meetings are a great conflict management tool, as they provide space and opportunity for managers and employees to communicate with one another. It can allow managers and organizations to get ahead of issues before they arise, as staff will be more engaged and willing to bring issues forward before, they are too big to manage.
 
Here are some best practices for good staff meetings:
1. Ensure they are regularly scheduled: This helps build trust in the process. Try not to reschedule too often or cut meetings short.
2. Provide time & space for multi-way communication: Staff meetings are an opportunity for management to share updates and communicate important information, but to increase employee engagement, try to build time for multi-way communication, where staff can bring up important concerns and discuss solutions.
3. Keep it positive: Use staff meetings as an opportunity to motivate and encourage your staff. Staff meetings can be a great time to celebrate team and individual wins.
4. Check-in: Take time at the beginning of your staff meetings to check-in with your team. Allow them to provide updates on how they're doing. A great strategy is to ask a check-in question each week.
 
Staff meetings are an important tool in your conflict management system. If done well, they can increase engagement, prevent, and resolve conflict, and become a space for team building.
 
Curious what else goes into your conflict management system tool-kit? Contact us today for a free consultation.