How To Deal With Internal Team Issues and Frustrations

People are complicated, and when you’re a people manager, you can’t avoid people-related problems for long. If you find yourself managing brewing workplace frustrations or are in the middle of a full-on workplace showdown, here are some ways to temper the stormy seas.

How to Rein in Rising Resentment

We all love working in peace and harmony, but it’s important to remember that some healthy conflicts every now and then can actually be a force for good. Challenging ideas can lead to new innovations and bold ideas when handled respectfully.

If you sense that your team’s frustrations are escalating, however, it’s time for you to address the issue head-on. Beating around the bush or trying to sweep the problem under the rug might only lead to further anger and resentment.

• Identify the Issue – Step one is to find out what’s really causing the frustration. There may be many layers to the problem so it might take some time to get to the root of the issue. Ask why, keep asking why, and work together to understand where things start to really veer off course. Sometimes being angry with a teammate goes way back to an operational flaw that can be corrected with some simple documentation or a change to a workflow.

• Take Action Right Away – Once you’ve identified the problem, work together to find solutions. While taking a day or two to let tensions calm is ok, you don’t want to let weeks go by without finding some viable solutions. Ask for input and encourage your staff to be candid.

• Be Honest – You as the leader must also be candid. Don’t give false hope or commit to promises you can’t keep. The worst thing you can do is say a change is coming and then things just end up being the same.

Managing internal tensions as a team leader requires you to play part counselor, part parent and part mediator. At the end of the day, you want a team that comes together respectfully and can work through issues and frustrations in a productive way. By listening, being honest and taking action, you can make that happen.