Resolve senior leadership conflicts effectively with key strategies that address power struggles, restore team morale, and boost productivity.

Remember as a mediator your goal is not to be neutral but rather impartial. Nobody can really be neutral due to our own biases, but we can be impartial and treat each side fairly.

I would try to help the parties to normalize conflict. Conflict will happen as a result of our differences and how we perceive the world. The key is learning the knowledge and skills to handle it. People need not fear conflict because it serves a purpose and tells us something is not working. In that way it is an opportunity to address a problem and challenge.

Last updated on Jul 9, 2024

How would you address a power struggle between senior leaders that is affecting team morale and productivity?

Power struggles among senior leaders can be a significant impediment to a team's morale and productivity. When two or more leaders with considerable influence are at odds, the ripple effect on the organization can be profound. It's crucial to address these issues head-on to prevent a toxic work environment and maintain a positive, productive atmosphere. Your role in navigating these choppy waters involves understanding the root causes, facilitating open communication, and employing strategic conflict resolution tactics. By doing so, you'll help to restore harmony and steer your team back to its collaborative best.

1 Assess Conflict

Understanding the nature of the conflict is the first step in resolving a power struggle between senior leaders. You must engage in active listening and unbiased observation to identify the underlying issues fueling the discord. It's important to discern whether the conflict stems from personal differences, competition for resources, or divergent visions for the organization. Recognize that each leader may have valid concerns and that their positions might be entrenched by past experiences or organizational changes. A thorough assessment will provide a solid foundation for developing a resolution strategy.

Add your perspective

Joshua Weiss
Report contribution
Assessing the conflict is indeed key. One of the most important factors at this stage is to try to bring to the leaders attention the impact their conflict is having on the entire organization. Often people are unaware of this dimension and it is a powerful one to get them to act and, perhaps more importantly, to change their behavior.

Like

2 Open Dialogue

Once you've assessed the situation, encourage open dialogue between the conflicting parties. This can be achieved by organizing a neutral meeting space where each leader can express their viewpoints without interruption. It is crucial to establish ground rules that promote respect and understanding during these discussions. As a facilitator, you should aim to guide the conversation towards common goals and shared values, helping the leaders to see beyond their individual interests. This process can uncover mutually acceptable solutions and pave the way for reconciliation.

Add your perspective

3 Mediate Fairly

Mediation is an essential tool in your arsenal when dealing with senior leadership conflicts. As a mediator, your role is to remain impartial and facilitate a solution-focused conversation. It's important to ensure that all parties feel heard and understood, which can help in breaking down barriers and fostering empathy. You should help the leaders recognize the impact of their power struggle on the organization and guide them towards finding common ground. Effective mediation can often lead to a compromise that respects the interests of all involved parties.

Add your perspective

Joshua Weiss
Report contribution
Remember as a mediator your goal is not to be neutral but rather impartial. Nobody can really be neutral due to our own biases, but we can be impartial and treat each side fairly.

Like

4 Align Objectives

Aligning the objectives of the feuding leaders is crucial for overcoming their power struggle. This involves revisiting the organization's mission and strategic goals to remind them of the bigger picture. By focusing on shared objectives, you can help shift the conversation from individual power dynamics to collective success. Encourage each leader to articulate how their vision aligns with the organization's goals and identify areas where collaboration can occur. This alignment not only helps resolve the immediate conflict but also strengthens the leadership team's unity going forward.

Add your perspective

5 Restore Morale

The impact of leadership conflicts on team morale cannot be underestimated. To restore morale, it is essential to communicate any resolutions or progress made in addressing the power struggle. Transparency about the steps taken to resolve leadership disputes reassures team members that their well-being is a priority. Additionally, implementing team-building activities can re-establish trust and cooperation among team members who may have been divided by the conflict. A focus on restoring morale will help to rejuvenate productivity and foster a more positive work environment.

Add your perspective

Tammy J. Bond

President | Strategy and Leadership Consultancy | Author, Speaker & Podcast Host
Report contribution
In order to restore morale, it is important to listen to all voices and understand how they are impacted by the struggles/conflicts on the team. You will fail quickly if you get right into team activities to try to get everyone to 'get along' when they haven't discussed what got us to this place. If you lead the team, that's your responsibility. As a member of the team, it's your opportunity to act as a connector for the team to open up the dialogue in support of stating our truth and inserting an 'if not this, then what' question to get the team to align on what we want to be together and how we want to act together. Teams don't care about resolutions, they care about what is going to be different, the next time.

Like

6 Sustain Harmony

Sustaining harmony after resolving a power struggle requires ongoing effort and vigilance. You should establish mechanisms for continuous communication and conflict resolution among leaders, such as regular check-ins or retreats. Encourage a culture of feedback and openness, where issues can be addressed proactively before they escalate into power struggles. By promoting a collaborative leadership style and reinforcing the value of teamwork, you can help prevent future conflicts and maintain a harmonious and productive organizational climate.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Joshua Weiss
Report contribution
I would try to help the parties to normalize conflict. Conflict will happen as a result of our differences and how we perceive the world. The key is learning the knowledge and skills to handle it. People need not fear conflict because it serves a purpose and tells us something is not working. In that way it is an opportunity to address a problem and challenge.

Like

How would you address a power struggle between senior leaders that is affecting team morale and productivity?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Conflict

2 Open Dialogue

3 Mediate Fairly

4 Align Objectives

5 Restore Morale

6 Sustain Harmony

7 Here’s what else to consider

Senior Stakeholder Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Senior Stakeholder Management

More relevant reading

How would you address a power struggle between senior leaders that is affecting team morale and productivity?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Conflict

2 Open Dialogue

3 Mediate Fairly

4 Align Objectives

5 Restore Morale

6 Sustain Harmony

7 Here’s what else to consider

Senior Stakeholder Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills