Objective Workplace Boundaries Minimize Conflict in Business and at Work

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In the spirit of “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and as part of the workshop I conducted at the New York BizLab recently “Lean In to Workplace Conflict Successfully,” here’s my best advice as a senior HR practitioner and NYS-trained workplace mediator on tried-and-true workplace tools and processes to set healthy boundaries with the goal of minimizing destructive workplace conflict:

  • Vision / Mission
    • Leadership must walk the talk
  • Values
    • Leadership must walk the talk, e.g. Respect, Integrity, etc.
    • Mutual respect breeds and sustains mutual trust
  • Organization S.M.A.R.T Goals and Other Business-Critical Objective Performance Data – Strategic Plan
    • Cascading to Individual S.M.A.R.T Goals
      • Principles, not personalities
  • Clearly-defined job descriptions
    • Supporting business S.M.A.R.T Goals & Strategy
  • Introductory period to confirm ability to perform job
  • Ongoing performance feedback based on established goals – not just once a year – no surprises
  • Working Agreements (Ground Rules for Working Together)
    • Grounded in Values, Mission and Vision
    • E.g, Respect
  • Consistent and regular employee communication
    • Weekly staff meetings
    • Daily Stand-Up meetings
    • Quarterly & Annual Business Performance meetings
    • Don’t just communicate when you have good news
    • Tell the truth
  • Employee Handbook reinforcing the above tools, e.g. vision, mission, values, etc.
    • Consistently doing what your Employee Handbook & other key boundary processes and documentation say
  • Make the best effort to demonstrate fairness
  • No tolerance of illegal, uncivil, bullying or gossiping behavior
    • No Breach of confidentiality
    • No Harassment
      • Annual in-person interactive training required by Oct. 2018
      • No Talk about sex, politics, religion, ethnic origin, etc.
      • Jokes about someone’s protected class causes harm
  • Don’t play favorites – especially with employees who are family and friends – playing favorites is workplace poison
  • Documenting progressive counseling and corrective action when team members don’t meet standards
    • Everyone must demonstrate accountability.

Do you have objective (and effective) workplace boundaries to minimize destructive conflict in business and at work?