For many, going to work every day is a rewarding and self-affirming experience. In addition to providing a wage, many jobs foster a sense of self-worth and professional fulfilment. When workplace conflict is handled appropriately by leadership and the business culture is uplifting and inclusive, all of these elements come together to create an environment that breeds positive morale amongst employees. When any of these break down, so too does morale.
Today’s complex business environment is all too often challenging. According to a recent article on workplace morale by our founder Richard Birke, more and more organizations are struggling to keep up morale in the face of a myriad of difficulties. “Many people are asking why workplaces feel grumpier,” stated Birke. “It’s not just about handling conflict anymore; it’s about navigating an undercurrent of tension, dissatisfaction and unease that seems to permeate daily interactions. This shift reflects broad societal challenges. As organizations grapple with a complex landscape of political polarization, economic uncertainty and rapid technological change, the mood in many workplaces feels heavy.”
This trend highlights the importance of leadership in the workplace and the role of moral leaders in boosting morale on the job. A recent study found that demand for moral leadership among U.S. workers is at an all-time high. The study revealed that 95% of employees consider moral leadership to be more important than ever, which is an increase from the 86% reported in 2020. The same study found significant benefits when leaders demonstrate a strong moral compass. Seventy-four percent of employees with such “top-tier” moral leadership characteristics reported their company had more satisfied customers; 69% felt their company had greater resilience when dealing with an economic downturn or market disruption; and 72% said the business was better positioned for growth.
Leading with integrity starts by following your moral compass. A moral compass is crucial in the workplace as it’s at the heart of fostering a culture of trust and integrity, improving employee engagement and retention, and providing a foundation for ethical decision-making and resilience. By following their compass, individuals are better able to avoid inner conflict by aligning their actions with their beliefs, leading to greater personal peace and fulfillment. For companies, strong ethics lead to a better reputation, attracting both customers and employees, and enabling them to navigate challenges more effectively.
Beyond leaders, employees can also face challenges in following their moral compass on the job. This may result in questioning the job itself and pondering whether or not to leave a company. In the recently published Communication Intelligence article, “Your Moral Compass Being Tested at Work,” Birke was quoted saying: “If you feel like a relationship or a working environment is out of sync with your morality, that’s a sign worth honoring. But the statement ‘it’s time to leave because that feeling isn’t going to change’ is overbroad. Perhaps it’s time to leave, but perhaps there are opportunities for positive change. Listening well to your feelings is important, but the choices you make and the actions you take are critical.”
When it comes to responding to workplace disputes, Birke points out that it is a good idea to keep the big picture in mind. In the Communication Intelligence article, he advises: “Emotional pain, like physical pain, is a signal that something needs attention. Just as we don’t cut off our arm because of the pain associated with a paper cut to our finger, sometimes we ought not cut off a relationship or quit a job prematurely. That paper cut, if unattended, might fester into a serious wound, but if taken care of promptly, may heal.”
Many companies recognize that they simply do not have the bandwidth or expertise to properly deal with a broad range of disputes that may crop up within an organization on a day-to-day basis. This is where providers, such as JAMS Pathways comes in, offering external conflict resolution services that empower organizations to intervene at the earliest possible stage of conflict. By taking a proactive approach, companies can avoid the costly and time-consuming damage of unmanaged conflict and the resulting harm to overall employee morale.
Organizations, such as JAMS Pathways, provide carefully tailored strategies and deeply experienced mediators, facilitators and trainers who can evaluate the root cause of conflicts and work with employees and leadership to resolve issues in ways that benefit personnel and the business.
To address conflict in the workplace, leaders and employees should follow their moral compass, being intentional in adopting strategies that focus on resolving disputes with fairness and respect, fostering connection, empathy and clarity. This can lead to the creation of an environment where people feel valued and supported.
For leaders and employees alike, efforts to resolve conflict and bolster workplace morale should be guided by each individual’s moral compass and reasoning. When addressing conflict, it is important to dig deeper, going beyond surface-level issues, and examine underlying dynamics contributing to workplace conflict. By encouraging active listening, fostering curiosity and promoting optimism, leaders can help employees be better equipped to navigate challenges, build resilience and make positive change.
Conflict in the workplace is inevitable, but it can be dealt with effectively. For anyone impacted by conflict, Birke suggests taking a deliberative approach. “Maybe sleep on it,” Birke concludes. “Take a long walk and think about it. Do what it takes to make a decision that is informed and deliberate. Don’t act in haste lest you feel regret. I’m not saying that you should stick it out at all costs, but there are times when quitting is the better option. While we should honor our feelings, we have to remember that feelings may be more transient than the consequences of rash action.”
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