Toxic workplaces are distressingly common. One recent study by the American Psychological Association showed that nearly one in five workers reported that their work environment was moderately or very toxic. And these workers reported mental health consequences at more than three times the rate of those who work in healthy workplaces (52% compared to 15%).
One of the most direct effects of a toxic workplace is that it drives out employees. A report from the MIT Sloan Management Review shows that a toxic workplace environment is more than 10 times more likely than low pay to contribute to an employee resigning. Couple this with the reality that replacing that employee could cost between $4,000 and $20,000.
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If an employee stays on staff in spite of the workplace environment, they may pull away from work to keep their mental health intact, intentionally spending less time and effort on projects. They could also reflect their frustration onto the customer, which could drive away your client base.
If you own or manage a company or department, it’s important to keep a finger on the pulse of worker morale through methods like surveys and feedback interviews. And if you feel toxicity building, you can intervene quickly with the help of a Certified High Conflict Negotiation Coach. Certified High Conflict Negotiation Coaches are trained to get to the bottom of disagreements and help create solutions that satisfy the needs of all parties.
Here are five specific benefits that Certified High Conflict Negotiation Coaches can bring to your workplace:
1. They Provide Understanding and Empathy
Half the relief in a high-conflict situation can come when a worker can share their concerns with someone who will listen patiently and offer an empathetic response. Certified High Conflict Negotiation Coaches are experts at listening intently and helping employees feel heard.
Especially in a toxic work environment, workers can feel beaten down and afraid of sharing their true feelings. Good conflict resolution specialists are empathetic and ask the right questions to get a complete picture of the problem.
2. They Advocate for Underrepresented Individuals
There are many reasons employees might be afraid to speak up in the workplace. They may have conflict with a superior and fear retribution, or they may feel like their opinions are undervalued because they are a minority.
No matter the reason, a High Conflict Negotiation Coach can act as a representative and level the playing field for all employees.
3. They Know How to Deal with Narcissists and Other High-conflict Individuals
Often, a toxic workplace boils down to just one or two high-conflict individuals, such as those with narcissistic qualities. It can be traumatic to be the victim of a narcissist’s drama and manipulation. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. A Certified High Conflict Negotiation Coach can help employees learn to get and keep the upper hand and outsmart high-conflict individuals so that all parties can get what they want and need in the workplace.
They can also help employers understand how employees’ behaviors are contributing to the toxic environment so that they can discipline or terminate employees if needed.
4. They Can Help Employers Address Serious Situations
Abrasive words or manipulative statements are one thing, but what happens when a conflict escalates to harassment or other types of abuse. A Certified High Conflict Negotiation Coach in the workplace knows when to escalate an issue that violates basic rights and employment law. Additionally, conflict resolution specialists can find witnesses to any inappropriate or toxic behavior.
5. They Foster Ongoing Productive, Positive Discussions
When it’s time to start the negotiation process, things can quickly get heated without a conflict negotiator. This discourages any productive conversation and stops resolution in its tracks.
One of a Certified High Conflict Negotiation Coach’s superpowers is their ability to help others learn conflict resolution skills. When they hold negotiations, they can teach everyone involved to frame a conversation in a positive and worthwhile manner.
For example, they can teach employees to use statements like, “My concern is…” or “I feel…” to stop the opposing party from feeling attacked. They can have each party take notes while the other is speaking to encourage active listening and then ask the first party to repeat back what was stated.
Regardless of the strategies they use, Certified High Conflict Negotiation Coaches ensure that discussions amongst parties are productive, not acrimonious. They create a positive environment and help defuse tension, validate concerns, and foster empathy.
Certified High Conflict Negotiation Coaches come into the workplace with fresh eyes and an arsenal of strategies to disarm high-conflict individuals, make all parties feel heard, and create solutions that work for everyone.
To learn more about conflict negotiation or get certified as a master negotiator, inquire about Rebecca Zung’s High Conflict Negotiation Certification Training Course, which is available online.
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