Objective Workplace Boundaries Minimize Conflict in Business and at Work

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?