5 Ways That Conflict Can Spur Innovation

In 2015, it was estimated that the long-term costs of unresolved workplace conflict cost the Canadian economy $16.1 billion. At a time when businesses are struggling and innovation is lagging, Canadian businesses can’t afford to ignore conflict. There are interesting ways to transform destructive conflict (a cost and liability) into innovation. Here’s how:

• Challenge yourself to grow: When there’s conflict around you, it’s easy to retreat into your shell. Dealing with conflict can be emotionally tiring. Conflict can be mentally tiring. By placing yourself in situations of personal growth, you’re increasing your capacity to problem-solve and innovate.

 

• Challenge perceptions: Conflicts often make us dig in our heels. We see things our way and only our way. Back and forth the same arguments go. Take three steps back and think about what’s really supporting and driving your understanding of the situation. When you change perceptions, you change the way you see a problem opening up different strategies

 

• Challenge resource use: When you’re in the thick of a conflict, it’s really easy to say that you want 100% of something while denying the other party access. Challenge yourself to find different ways of using the same resource. And then as an added bonus think of ways that all parties can have access to the resource. Innovation is born of such sharing.

 

• Challenge relationships: How can you change the pattern of interaction? How can you relearn how to interact in a more beneficial way for mutual gain? It won’t be easy by the results can be astonishing.

 

• Challenge models: Conflict can provoke reflection and greater understanding of how the company interacts with its customers, its suppliers and broader community. There will be many painful reality checks. But at the end of it all, there is the promise of emerging stronger, in better form and unique.

 
Conflict isn’t something to be shied away from. Exploring conflict internally and in relationships can lead to new ideas, new relationships, new ways of using resources, new ways of engaging in business. Put all together when well managed conflict can lead to innovation in all aspects of a company. Which type of conflict will you explore today?