How to diffuse workplace conflict

"Add to the mix that we're encouraging people to "have a voice," "speak up and be heard," "bring your whole self to work," and "be vulnerable." These are all incredible things and fantastic for growth in our workplaces. However, the more "voices" and "whole selves" we have present, the more differences in values, beliefs, and neural pathways, which leads to potential conflict."

"Our IQ is the "what we know and what we can do." It's the part of our brain where logic prevails. Our EQ and emotional intelligence, on the other hand, is the "how and why we do it," and where emotions run the show. Information and skills without emotion just exist. It has little bearing on whether two people get along."

Businesses assemble diverse teams with different skills, values, and beliefs, which can create stressful proximity. Encouraging employees to have a voice, speak up, bring whole selves, and be vulnerable increases diversity of values and neural pathways, raising potential for conflict. IQ represents knowledge and skills where logic prevails. EQ represents emotional intelligence, the how and why driven by emotions. Information and skills without emotion rarely determine interpersonal harmony; communication, interaction style, beliefs, opinions, and underlying values typically drive workplace conflict. Unique neural pathways form from experiences, values, habits, and memories and shape emotional responses that can trigger fight-or-flight reactions.

Read at Fast Company