CEO of Ferrari Energy Adam Ferrari Comments on Managing Effective Collaboration With Unwilling Participants
Poor communication results in interpersonal conflicts. When team members in your company feel taken advantage of, morale decreases. With this decrease in morale, productivity loss becomes inevitable and can hinder your organization’s ability to meet its goals. In this article, Adam Ferrari, CEO of Ferrari Energy and serial entrepreneur, discusses measured steps your company can take to prevent interpersonal conflict occurrences, promoting collaboration even among employees who disagree.
Effective Collaboration Across Perspectives
Organizations that foster a collaborative work environment consist of employees who feel seen, heard, and safe to share their thoughts. While differing opinions can be contentious, individuals should always feel valued when speaking their truth.
Validating the need for varying perspectives is the first step in showing employees that their thoughts matter. When people feel this way, disputes are less likely to arise. Rather than dismissing unique opinions, they should be celebrated. Without a dynamic and diverse workplace, ideas become stagnant, and progress slows down.
Individuals of a team only become unwilling participants when they believe that what they have to say is unimportant. You should consistently check in with your team members to ensure that they feel they’re playing an integral role in contributing to organizational goals.
Efficiency and Structure
Without detailed organization, companies crumble. Collaboration can only occur if systems are in place that allow for the sharing of ideas. Your organization should have standardized systems and collaboration processes in place. Your meetings and work sessions should be efficient and leave no time to waste. When your employees feel like their time is valued, they are more likely to engage in the processes set forth.
Great executives understand that successful collaboration in the workplace isn’t just good for their employees. Productive, happy employees mean benefits passed on to customers and the company’s bottom line.
Maintaining Calm When Things Go Wrong
Things are going to go wrong in your business. Problems will arise that inevitably call for solutions. Your employees will likely disagree on ways of fixing these problems, but that doesn’t excuse them from being a part of a solution that they don’t particularly align with. Have one-on-one communication with disgruntled individuals, and let them know the reasoning for pursuing a particular solution. It doesn’t mean that you don’t value their input; it just means that the company is going a different route in this instance.
Your employees can disagree with decisions. They shouldn’t be ostracized for believing differently. However, they must be willing to forge ahead for the greater good of the organization. Communicate with your team members that although their ideas aren’t put to use, you still need them to complete the task.
Giving these individuals a sense of purpose is more willing to put the past behind them and focus on the future. And then, once they have completed the work put in front of them, make sure to celebrate their contribution. Stay calm, and set your sights on the road ahead.
About Adam Ferrari
Adam Ferrari is the founder of the mineral acquisitions company Ferrari Energy. He is a chemical engineer by degree and is an accomplished petroleum engineer by profession. He also has experience in the financial sector through his work at an investment banking firm. Under his leadership, his company has supported numerous charitable organizations, including St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Freedom Service Dogs, Denver Rescue Mission, Coats for Colorado, and Next Steps of Chicago.