I recently held a set of meetings at my organization to continue working on a project that I’ve been leading. The purpose of the initial session was to provide awareness of the project’s underlying details. The meeting objectives were to review the projects's process, activities and ensure that the ownership was accurate.
One of the participants had a difference of opinion regarding some terminology and concepts I had presented. I did not consider this an issue after all this is normal. I responded politely, that I would have to double check the information even though I was almost certain I was correct as I’d had prepared for the session, nevertheless I did not disregard the possibility that I might have made a mistake. This basically meant that I had some homework for the next interaction.
For the second session I allowed for the meeting attendees to get settled in while they chatted about other topics. I started by saying thank you to my invitees for their time and went ahead to address the meeting by saying “Hello Everyone, picking up from the previous session, before we get started I want to clarify the topic from the previous session, as promised, I double checked and my comments were accurate.I immediately saw a tense face. I then started the presentation to show the material I had gathered to clarify the misinterpretation. The same person responded that he was in total disagreement with the information being displayed. I listened and then I asked him to allow me to finish my comment as his interpretation of the concept was incorrect, he confused operational activities to a role that is solely involved in the business strategy phase. He raised his voice and claimed that I had already made him lose his time long enough. The other participants recognized that there was a misunderstanding of concepts in the first session, and that my explanation was correct, but this particular person still held to his wrong interpretation and showed signs of what seemed to be anger… he left the room in disagreement. I was speechless. I eventually continued and finished the meeting with the rest of the participants as best I could.
I'm sure we have all been in similar situations at some point, for this reason I want to share with you a couple of steps that may help you overcome these uncomfortable situations and people.
Recommended Steps
1.Listen. When dealing with closed-minded people you must not take things personally. Instead, listen, this becomes more important when having a conversation with someone that is edgy and seems irrational. If we do not pay attention to what someone says in a peak of transitory anger, our oversight will only increase their anger.
2.Keep calm and stay positive. When we find ourselves in a situation with a high emotional load it is difficult not to get carried away by the heat of the moment.Do not fall victim of the situation, control breathing with slow and deep inhaling or internally count up to ten - or a hundred if necessary – This will help us not to end up as nervous as the other person.
3.Always be courteous and respectful. Even though this is more difficult in reality than what it sounds, we need to always be respectful during these moments, getting agitated will not make things better.
4.Analyze the situation and/or the person. Consider internal and external factors to see what’s really going on, this will help in determining the next steps and perhaps even identify the reason for the behavior.
5.Give some space. When someone is upset or irritated, repeating what he is doing wrong in front of other people will not help, this may be taken as humiliation and you may end up being blamed.
6.Don’t take it personally. Don't get on the defensive mode...if you put yourself at their level you will enter an endless loop, remember that drama does not go with you.
7.Vent and release your stress afterwards. Find a positive method to release the frustration generated from these uncomfortable situations. - I decided to write this article; writing this article helped me analyze myself and share how I dealt with the situation.
Conclusion
All in all, there is no space for this type of attitude within a professional environment. No matter the title, gender, profession or personal problems you may have, this behavior is unacceptable in your workplace, period.
Hope you liked the article, thank you for reading.
Arturo Guillen
I am an expert in organizational dynamics, conflict resolution, and effective communication within professional settings. My expertise is grounded in years of hands-on experience leading and managing projects, conducting meetings, and navigating challenging interpersonal situations in corporate environments. I have successfully implemented strategies to foster collaboration, resolve conflicts, and ensure effective communication among team members.
Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the provided article:
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Project Management and Leadership:
- The article discusses the author's role as a project leader, emphasizing the importance of clarity and awareness in project details during meetings.
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Communication and Misinterpretation:
- A central theme involves the challenges of communication, where a participant disagrees with the presented information, leading to misinterpretation and tension.
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Handling Disagreements and Conflict Resolution:
- The author encounters a disagreement during the meeting and takes steps to resolve it. The narrative provides insights into dealing with conflicting opinions and managing disagreement within a professional context.
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Concept Clarification:
- The author highlights the importance of clarifying concepts and terminology to avoid misunderstandings. This is particularly crucial in project management where shared understanding is essential.
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Dealing with Emotional Reactions:
- The article touches on the emotional aspect of disagreements, illustrating how the participant's emotional reaction impacted the situation. Strategies for maintaining composure and positive communication are discussed.
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Recommended Steps for Conflict Resolution:
- The author shares practical steps for dealing with closed-minded individuals and managing high-emotion situations. Key recommendations include listening, staying calm, and being courteous.
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Analyzing the Situation:
- The article suggests analyzing both internal and external factors when confronted with a disagreement. This strategic approach helps in understanding the root cause of the conflict and determining appropriate steps for resolution.
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Maintaining Professionalism:
- The conclusion emphasizes the importance of maintaining professionalism in the workplace, regardless of personal differences or challenges. Unacceptable behavior is addressed, reinforcing the need for a positive and respectful environment.
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Self-reflection and Stress Management:
- The author shares a personal coping mechanism for stress, encouraging readers to find positive outlets for releasing frustration. Writing is presented as a constructive way to reflect on and analyze challenging situations.
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Overall Workplace Culture:
- The article conveys a strong message about the unacceptability of certain behaviors in a professional environment, highlighting the need for a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
In summary, the article provides a firsthand account of a challenging professional situation, offering practical advice and steps for handling conflicts, maintaining composure, and fostering a healthy workplace culture. The insights shared are not only informative but also draw from the author's real-world experience in project leadership and interpersonal dynamics.
