Tag: Work-Life Balance

Personality refers to the unique and enduring patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that define an individual. It is shaped by biological, psychological, and social factors, and understanding personality is crucial in fields such as psychology, organizational behavior, and human resources. Over time, various theories have emerged to explain the complexities of personality.

1. Psychoanalytic Theory (Sigmund Freud)

Freud’s psychoanalytic theory is one of the earliest frameworks for understanding personality. It emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences in shaping personality.

• Structure of Personality:
  • Id: Operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification.
  • Ego: Operates on the reality principle, balancing the id’s desires with societal norms.
  • Superego: Represents internalized moral standards and ideals.
• Psychosexual Stages:

Freud proposed five stages of psychosexual development—oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital—each influencing personality based on how conflicts are resolved.

• Impact on Personality:

Unresolved conflicts during these stages can lead to fixations that shape adult behavior, such as anxiety or obsessive tendencies.

2. Humanistic Theories (Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow)

Humanistic theories focus on the inherent goodness of people and their drive for self-actualization.

Abraham Maslow: Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow’s theory centers on a pyramid of needs, with self-actualization at the top:

1. Physiological Needs: Basic survival needs (e.g., food, water).
2. Safety Needs: Security and protection.
3. Love and Belongingness: Relationships and social connections.
4. Esteem Needs: Respect and recognition.
5. Self-Actualization: Realizing one’s full potential.

Maslow believed personality develops as individuals progress through these stages, striving for self-fulfillment.

Carl Rogers: Person-Centered Theory

Rogers emphasized the importance of self-concept, which consists of:

• Real Self: How individuals perceive themselves.
• Ideal Self: How individuals aspire to be.

When the real self and ideal self align, individuals experience congruence, leading to healthy personality development. Unconditional positive regard from others fosters this congruence.

3. Trait Theories

Trait theories focus on identifying and measuring stable characteristics that define personality.

Gordon Allport

Allport categorized traits into three levels:

• Cardinal Traits: Dominant traits influencing all aspects of an individual’s behavior.
• Central Traits: General characteristics found in most people.
• Secondary Traits: Traits that appear in specific situations.

Big Five Model (OCEAN)

Modern trait theory is exemplified by the Big Five Personality Traits, which include:

1. Openness to Experience: Creativity, curiosity, and willingness to explore.
2. Conscientiousness: Organization, responsibility, and dependability.
3. Extraversion: Sociability, energy, and assertiveness.
4. Agreeableness: Compassion, cooperation, and trustworthiness.
5. Neuroticism: Emotional stability, stress, and mood regulation.

Trait theories provide a comprehensive framework for understanding individual differences and predicting behavior in various contexts.

4. Behaviorist Theory (B.F. Skinner)

Behaviorist theories, proposed by psychologists like B.F. Skinner, argue that personality is shaped entirely by environmental factors.

• Principles of Learning:

  • Operant Conditioning: Behavior is shaped by rewards (reinforcements) and punishments.
  • Classical Conditioning: Emotional responses are learned through associations.
• Impact on Personality:

Repeated behaviors reinforced by the environment form patterns that define personality. For example, a child consistently rewarded for social behavior may develop an outgoing personality.

• Criticism:

Behaviorist theories are often criticized for ignoring internal thoughts, emotions, and biological influences on personality.

5. Social Cognitive Theory (Albert Bandura)

Bandura’s theory integrates behavioral and cognitive perspectives, emphasizing the role of observational learning and self-efficacy.

Key Concepts:

• • Observational Learning: People develop personality traits by observing and imitating others.
  • Reciprocal Determinism: Personality is shaped by the interaction of personal factors, behavior, and the environment.
  • Self-Efficacy: Confidence in one’s ability to perform influences behavior and personality.
• Example:

An individual who observes a role model demonstrating resilience in adversity may develop traits like determination and optimism.

6. Biological Theories

Biological theories focus on genetic and physiological factors influencing personality.

Eysenck’s Three Dimensions of Personality

Hans Eysenck proposed a biological basis for personality traits, categorized into three dimensions:

1. Extraversion vs. Introversion: Linked to cortical arousal levels in the brain.
2. Neuroticism vs. Emotional Stability: Related to the autonomic nervous system’s reactivity.
3. Psychoticism: Associated with aggression, creativity, and impulsivity.

Behavioral Genetics

Studies of twins and families indicate a significant genetic contribution to personality traits. For instance, identical twins often exhibit similar traits regardless of their environments.

7. Cognitive Theories

Cognitive theories focus on how thought processes influence personality.

George Kelly: Personal Construct Theory

Kelly proposed that individuals develop personal constructs—unique mental frameworks—to interpret the world.

• Impact on Personality:

  Personality is shaped by these constructs, influencing how people perceive situations and respond.

Aaron Beck: Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective

Beck emphasized the role of thought patterns in shaping personality and emotional well-being.

• Example:

Negative thought patterns can lead to traits like pessimism, while positive thinking fosters optimism.

8. Evolutionary Theory

Evolutionary psychology explores how personality traits evolved to enhance survival and reproduction.

Key Ideas:

• • Traits like altruism, aggression, and mate selection behaviors are rooted in evolutionary pressures.
  • Personality traits that improved group cohesion and problem-solving were naturally selected.
• Example:

Extraversion may have evolved to facilitate social bonding, while conscientiousness supports long-term planning and resource management.

9. Existential Theories

Existential theories focus on individual freedom, choice, and responsibility in shaping personality.

• Key Proponents: Rollo May and Viktor Frankl.
• Core Ideas:
  • Individuals must confront existential challenges such as death, isolation, and meaninglessness.
  • Personality develops through how one navigates these challenges and exercises personal freedom.

10. Integrative Theories

Modern perspectives often integrate multiple theories to provide a holistic understanding of personality.

• Example:

The biopsychosocial model combines biological, psychological, and social influences to explain personality development.

• Application:

Integrative theories are useful in therapy, workplace management, and understanding complex human behaviors.

Organizational Behavior (OB) is a dynamic field constantly evolving to meet the challenges of modern workplaces. As technology, societal expectations, and global trends reshape business environments, OB must adapt to new paradigms.

1. Emphasis on Remote and Hybrid Work

The global shift toward remote and hybrid work models has transformed workplace dynamics.

• Companies must focus on maintaining productivity, collaboration, and engagement across distributed teams.
• OB will increasingly study virtual communication, remote leadership, and the impact of technology on employee well-being.

2. Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI and machine learning are revolutionizing decision-making, talent management, and productivity.

• OB will explore the implications of AI on human interaction, job roles, and organizational structures.
• Ethical considerations surrounding AI deployment in workplaces will also become a critical area of study.

3. Focus on Employee Experience

The traditional focus on employee satisfaction is shifting toward a broader emphasis on employee experience (EX).

• Organizations will prioritize creating meaningful, personalized, and supportive environments.
• OB will develop frameworks to measure and enhance EX, addressing factors like career growth, well-being, and inclusion.

4. Rise of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are no longer optional but integral to organizational success.

• OB will study the impact of inclusive policies on innovation, employee engagement, and retention.
• Addressing unconscious biases and fostering cultural intelligence will remain key priorities.

5. Psychological Safety and Well-being

Mental health and well-being have gained prominence in workplace discussions.

• OB will focus on creating psychologically safe environments where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to take risks.
• Initiatives like flexible work hours, mental health resources, and wellness programs will play a pivotal role.

6. Agile Organizational Structures

Traditional hierarchical structures are giving way to more agile, flexible frameworks.

• OB will examine how flat structures, cross-functional teams, and decentralized decision-making influence productivity and innovation.
• Agile methodologies will also be applied to leadership and project management.

7. Role of Technology in Collaboration

Advancements in technology, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), are redefining collaboration.

• OB will explore how immersive technologies can enhance teamwork, training, and employee engagement.
• Addressing the challenges of digital fatigue will be equally critical.

8. Increased Importance of Sustainability

Sustainability is becoming a core value for businesses globally.

• OB will analyze how organizations integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into their culture.
• Encouraging sustainable practices among employees and fostering green behaviors will be key areas of focus.

9. Data-Driven Decision-Making

Data analytics is increasingly shaping organizational strategies.

• OB will explore the ethical and practical use of employee data for talent management, performance evaluation, and workplace innovation.
• Ensuring data privacy and transparency will be essential for building trust.

10. Lifelong Learning and Skill Development

Rapid technological advancements require employees to continually update their skills.

• OB will emphasize the importance of fostering a culture of lifelong learning.
• Organizations will need to provide opportunities for reskilling and upskilling to remain competitive.

Organizational Behavior (OB) is guided by foundational principles that explain how individuals and groups act within organizations. These principles help managers understand and influence behavior to create productive, harmonious, and adaptive workplaces.

1. Individual Differences

The principle of individual differences emphasizes that no two people are alike in their abilities, personalities, values, or experiences.

• People bring unique skills, attitudes, and behaviors to their roles.
• Recognizing and valuing these differences helps managers assign tasks that align with employee strengths, boosting job satisfaction and performance.
• Personalization of management practices, such as flexible work schedules or tailored feedback, stems from this principle.

2. Perception and Subjectivity

People perceive situations differently based on their backgrounds, experiences, and biases.

• Behavior in the workplace is often guided more by perception than by reality.
• Misinterpretations can lead to conflicts, so effective communication and active listening are crucial.
• Managers must understand employee perspectives to address issues effectively and maintain organizational harmony.

3. Holistic View of Behavior

This principle highlights that behavior is influenced by multiple factors, including personal, social, and organizational aspects.

• OB considers the interplay between individual attributes (e.g., personality, motivation), group dynamics (e.g., teamwork, leadership), and organizational systems (e.g., culture, structure).
• A holistic approach ensures that interventions target root causes rather than symptoms of workplace issues.

4. Motivation Drives Behavior

Motivation is central to understanding why employees behave the way they do.

• Motivation theories, such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, and McClelland’s Theory of Needs, provide frameworks to design effective incentives and rewards.
• Motivated employees are more likely to be productive, engaged, and aligned with organizational goals.

5. Importance of Interpersonal Relationships

Relationships play a vital role in shaping workplace behavior and productivity.

• Strong interpersonal relationships foster collaboration, trust, and effective communication.
• OB emphasizes the role of informal networks and team dynamics in influencing individual and group performance.
• Managers should nurture positive relationships to create cohesive teams and resolve conflicts constructively.

6. Behavior is Goal-Oriented

Employees typically behave in ways that help them achieve personal or organizational goals.

• Understanding the alignment (or misalignment) between individual and organizational goals is critical.
• Managers can use goal-setting frameworks like SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to ensure clarity and direction.
• Aligning individual ambitions with organizational objectives fosters a sense of purpose and commitment.

7. Role of Organizational Culture

Organizational culture significantly impacts how employees behave.

• Culture encompasses shared values, norms, and practices that influence decision-making, communication, and collaboration.
• A strong, positive culture fosters employee engagement, innovation, and loyalty.
• OB principles encourage leaders to actively shape and reinforce desirable cultural traits.

8. Dynamic Nature of Behavior

Behavior is not static; it evolves based on changing circumstances and environments.

• OB acknowledges that external factors, such as technological advancements, economic shifts, or personal life changes, can influence workplace behavior.
• Organizations must remain flexible and adaptive to these changes to maintain productivity and employee satisfaction.

9. Systems Perspective

Organizations are complex systems where different components interact.

• OB adopts a systems perspective, recognizing that changes in one part of an organization affect others.
• For example, altering the reward system can influence motivation, communication, and team dynamics.
• Managers must consider these interdependencies when designing policies or interventions.

10. Balance Between Human and Organizational Objectives

A key principle of OB is to balance employee needs with organizational goals.

• Employees seek satisfaction, growth, and recognition, while organizations aim for productivity, profitability, and sustainability.
• Effective OB practices ensure that both sets of objectives are met by fostering a supportive and efficient work environment.

11. Ethical Behavior and Social Responsibility

Ethics and social responsibility are integral to OB.

• Ethical behavior fosters trust, reduces conflicts, and enhances organizational reputation.
• OB encourages transparency, fairness, and accountability in all organizational dealings.
• Modern organizations also focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR), addressing broader societal concerns alongside business goals.

12. Influence of Leadership

Leadership directly affects employee behavior and organizational outcomes.

• Different leadership styles—such as transactional, transformational, or servant leadership—impact motivation, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
• OB emphasizes the role of effective leadership in inspiring employees and driving organizational success.

Individual Behavior in organizations is shaped by a complex interplay of personal, psychological, and environmental factors. Understanding these foundations is essential for managing employees effectively and aligning their actions with organizational goals.

1. Biographical Characteristics

Biographical traits such as age, gender, marital status, and tenure influence how individuals behave at work.

• Age:

Older employees often bring experience and stability, while younger employees may contribute energy and innovative ideas.

• Gender:

While research shows negligible differences in job performance between genders, societal roles and stereotypes can impact workplace behavior.

• Marital Status:

Married employees are often perceived to exhibit higher job satisfaction and lower absenteeism.

• Tenure:

Employees with longer tenure tend to have better job performance due to experience and familiarity with organizational processes.

2. Personality

Personality plays a critical role in shaping individual behavior, as it defines how people respond to different situations.

• Big Five Personality Traits:

The five dimensions—openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism—predict various workplace behaviors. For example, conscientiousness is linked to reliability and high performance.

• Locus of Control:

People with an internal locus of control believe they control their own destiny, while those with an external locus attribute outcomes to external factors like luck.

3. Values and Attitudes

Values and attitudes influence decision-making and interpersonal interactions.

• Values:

Values are enduring beliefs about what is important in life. Terminal values represent end-goals like happiness or success, while instrumental values relate to behaviors, such as honesty and discipline.

• Attitudes:

Attitudes encompass three components:

• • Cognitive (beliefs): What a person thinks.
  • Affective (feelings): How a person feels about a subject.
  • Behavioral (actions): How a person intends to behave based on their beliefs and feelings.

4. Perception

Perception is the process through which individuals interpret their environment. It significantly impacts behavior as people act based on their perception, not necessarily reality.

• Attribution Theory:

Attribution determines whether an individual attributes a behavior to internal factors (e.g., effort) or external factors (e.g., luck).

• Perceptual Biases:

Common biases, such as stereotyping or the halo effect, can distort perceptions and lead to misunderstandings or unfair treatment.

5. Motivation

Motivation drives individuals to achieve their goals and perform tasks. Theories explaining motivation:

• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:

Individuals strive to fulfill five levels of needs: physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization.

• Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory:

Differentiates between hygiene factors (e.g., pay, work conditions) and motivators (e.g., recognition, personal growth).

• McClelland’s Theory of Needs:

Focuses on three key needs—achievement, affiliation, and power—which influence workplace behavior.

6. Emotional Intelligence (EI)

EI is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s own emotions and those of others. High EI leads to better interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, and leadership abilities. It includes four components:

• Self-awareness
• Self-regulation
• Social awareness
• Relationship management

7. Learning and Experience

Learning shapes behavior through the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Theories of learning include:

• Classical Conditioning:

Involves associating a stimulus with a response, as demonstrated by Pavlov’s experiments.

• Operant Conditioning:

Focuses on rewards and punishments to shape behavior, as explained by B.F. Skinner.

• Social Learning Theory:

Suggests individuals learn by observing others, modeling behaviors they perceive as rewarding.

8. Role of Emotions and Moods

Emotions (intense, short-lived feelings) and moods (longer-lasting emotional states) affect decision-making, creativity, and interpersonal relationships. Positive emotions boost morale and productivity, while negative emotions can lead to conflicts and poor performance.

9. Cultural Influences

Cultural background impacts individual values, communication styles, and work ethics. For example, collectivist cultures emphasize teamwork and group harmony, whereas individualistic cultures prioritize personal achievement.

10. External Environment

External factors like organizational culture, job design, leadership style, and work environment significantly influence behavior. A supportive environment fosters positive behaviors, while a stressful or rigid environment may result in disengagement or conflicts.

Organizational Behavior (OB) is crucial for understanding, predicting, and improving the behavior of individuals and groups within an organization. By focusing on human dynamics, OB helps organizations create productive, harmonious, and adaptive environments.

1. Enhancing Employee Motivation

OB explores various motivation theories, such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, to understand what drives employees. By applying these insights, organizations can design policies and incentives to keep employees motivated, ultimately leading to higher productivity and job satisfaction.

2. Improving Leadership and Management Practices

Leadership is vital for guiding teams and achieving organizational goals. OB studies different leadership styles, such as transformational and servant leadership, to determine their impact on employee morale and performance. Managers can adopt appropriate leadership approaches to foster a collaborative and goal-oriented work culture.

3. Strengthening Communication

Effective communication is a cornerstone of successful organizations. OB examines formal and informal communication channels and interpersonal dynamics to identify barriers to effective communication. By improving communication practices, organizations can ensure better understanding, reduce conflicts, and enhance team collaboration.

4. Facilitating Conflict Resolution

Conflicts are inevitable in organizations due to differences in opinions, goals, or work styles. OB provides tools and strategies for conflict resolution, such as negotiation techniques and mediation, ensuring that disputes are resolved constructively without disrupting organizational harmony.

5. Building Organizational Culture

Organizational culture shapes employee behavior and influences overall performance. OB helps organizations understand cultural dimensions and develop strong, positive cultures that align with organizational values, fostering loyalty, engagement, and a shared sense of purpose among employees.

6. Enhancing Teamwork and Collaboration

Team dynamics play a critical role in achieving organizational success. OB studies group behavior, roles, norms, and cohesiveness, enabling organizations to form effective teams. By fostering collaboration, OB ensures that teams work synergistically to achieve common goals.

7. Driving Organizational Change

In today’s dynamic business environment, change is constant. OB equips organizations with insights into employee attitudes and resistance to change. Change management models like Lewin’s Change Theory help organizations implement change smoothly while minimizing disruptions and maintaining employee trust.

8. Promoting Employee Well-being

Employee well-being is critical for long-term success. OB emphasizes work-life balance, stress management, and mental health awareness. By addressing these areas, organizations can reduce absenteeism, prevent burnout, and create a supportive work environment.

9. Adapting to Technological Advancements

With the rise of digital technologies, organizations face new challenges, such as managing remote teams and virtual communication. OB provides frameworks to navigate these changes, ensuring that employees adapt to new tools and workflows while maintaining productivity and engagement.

10. Supporting Diversity and Inclusion

A diverse and inclusive workforce is essential for innovation and competitiveness. OB helps organizations understand the dynamics of diversity, addressing biases, and promoting inclusivity. This creates a workplace where individuals from different backgrounds feel valued and contribute to organizational success.

Organizational Behavior (OB) has evolved significantly over time, shaped by various theories, practices, and societal needs. Its development reflects a transition from mechanistic views of organizations to a more nuanced understanding of human behavior in the workplace.

Historical Perspectives of Organizational Behavior

1. Classical Management Theories (1900s):
   The origins of OB can be traced to the early 20th century with the advent of classical management theories. These approaches focused on efficiency, productivity, and organizational structure.

   • Scientific Management (Frederick Taylor):

     Taylor emphasized time studies, task specialization, and standardization to maximize worker output. However, his view of workers as machines led to criticism for neglecting human emotions and needs.

   • Administrative Management (Henri Fayol):

     Fayol introduced principles like planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling, laying the foundation for modern management practices.

   • Bureaucratic Model (Max Weber):

     Weber stressed hierarchical structures, formal rules, and impersonality in decision-making to enhance organizational efficiency.

2. Human Relations Movement (1930s-1950s):
   The Hawthorne Studies conducted by Elton Mayo and colleagues marked a shift toward considering human elements in organizations. These studies revealed that social and psychological factors, such as recognition and group dynamics, significantly influence productivity. This movement highlighted the importance of employee satisfaction and informal networks in organizations.

3. Behavioral Science Era (1950s-1970s):
   This era integrated insights from psychology, sociology, and anthropology to deepen the understanding of human behavior in organizations.

   • Douglas McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y:

     McGregor proposed two contrasting views of employees: Theory X (people are lazy and need control) and Theory Y (people are self-motivated and seek responsibility). Theory Y inspired participative management practices.

   • Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:

     Maslow’s model emphasized that employees are motivated by unmet needs, ranging from physiological to self-actualization.

   • Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory:

     Herzberg distinguished between hygiene factors (e.g., salary) that prevent dissatisfaction and motivators (e.g., recognition) that drive satisfaction.

4. Contingency and Systems Theories (1960s-1980s):

   • Contingency Theory:

     This approach rejected one-size-fits-all solutions, emphasizing that management practices should align with situational variables such as environment, technology, and workforce characteristics.

   • Systems Theory:

     Organizations were viewed as open systems interacting with their environments. This perspective underscored the importance of adaptability and interdependence of organizational components.

Current Perspectives of Organizational Behavior

Today, OB continues to evolve, driven by advancements in technology, globalization, and shifting workforce expectations. Modern OB recognizes the complexity of organizations and places a strong emphasis on innovation, ethics, and diversity.

1. Emphasis on Organizational Culture and Leadership:

   • Organizational Culture:

     Culture is seen as a critical determinant of organizational success. Edgar Schein’s work on cultural dimensions highlights the importance of shared values, beliefs, and norms in shaping employee behavior.

   • Leadership Styles:
   • Transformational and servant leadership approaches focus on inspiring employees and prioritizing their development, fostering high performance and engagement.
2. Diversity and Inclusion:
   Modern OB emphasizes the value of a diverse workforce. Organizations now prioritize creating inclusive environments that leverage the strengths of individuals from different backgrounds, enhancing creativity and decision-making.
3. Technology and Virtual Workspaces:
   The digital era has transformed how organizations operate. Remote work, virtual teams, and artificial intelligence (AI) have introduced new challenges and opportunities for managing employee behavior. Communication, collaboration, and maintaining engagement in virtual settings are key focus areas.
4. Employee Well-being and Work-Life Balance:
   Increasing awareness of mental health and work-life balance has shifted organizational priorities. Flexible work arrangements, wellness programs, and initiatives to prevent burnout have become central to OB practices.
5. Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):
   Ethical behavior and social responsibility are no longer optional. Employees and stakeholders expect organizations to act responsibly, addressing environmental concerns and fostering fair practices.
6. Positive Organizational Behavior (POB):
   The POB movement emphasizes strengths-based approaches, focusing on cultivating optimism, resilience, and well-being in the workplace. This aligns with trends like mindfulness and emotional intelligence training.
7. Globalization and Cross-Cultural Management:
   Global interconnectedness demands sensitivity to cultural differences. Modern OB explores how to manage diverse, cross-cultural teams and navigate challenges such as differing communication styles and conflict resolution approaches.

8. Data-Driven Decision Making:
   The use of big data and analytics has revolutionized OB. Organizations now leverage data to understand employee behavior, predict trends, and design interventions for improved performance.

Conflicts

Project Vision

In an ideal construction project, everyone has the same vision for the project as the client or project manager. Everyone should be working towards the same goal of making the client happy. This type of conflict arises when workers have different ideas for the overall construction project. People will always have their own opinions. Teams may think that they need extra materials while some argue that there are enough materials to finish the job. Out of the 5 types of conflict in project management, differences in project vision don’t happen too often, but they can still cause problems while on the construction site.

Lack of Communication

Out of the 5 types of conflict in project management, a lack of communication can be the costliest for people working in construction. By far, a lack of communication will do the most damage to a construction project. Giving wrong or unclear instructions can set a project back. As a project manager, you have to communicate with each worker what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and how they should go about completing it. A project manager that fails to communicate in a clear way will set up the project for failure.

A lack of communication can delay a project by a lot of time and will increase costs as a result. Communicating with your workers is crucial. It gives the project manager the ability to oversee how the project is developing and also gives them insight on some of the problems happening onsite.

Conflict Disagreements

When there are conflicts on the construction site, people should work together to come up with possible solutions. Working together usually solves the initial conflict, but if there are differing opinions on the solution another conflict can be born. This conflict is the disagreement on what to do about the initial problem. Out of the 5 types of conflict in project management, conflict disagreements don’t happen too often, but when they do they can delay a project for a decent amount of time. It can also create bad blood between workers who get too emotionally involved. It’s crucial that you solve this conflict quickly for the sake of your project.

Poor Leadership

As a project manager, you need to have the ability to lead your workers towards a finished project. You need to be able to hand out instructions that are very clear and need to supervise the progress of the project to make sure everything is going smoothly. A great project manager can bring out the best in any employee and will complete a project either on time or ahead of schedule. These are the qualities of a great leader, but what type of conflict occurs when there’s poor leadership?

Poor leadership can happen when a construction manager is not performing at an optimal level and is slowing down the progress of the project. When there is poor leadership, problems such as time constraints, unclear instructions, and confusion about worker roles occur. These problems slow down the pace of the project and increase the overall costs. Compared to a lack of communication, poor leadership is just as bad, if not the worst conflict to have out of the 5 types of conflict in project management.

Group Differences

Construction is all about teamwork. You need to have workers that are knowledgeable enough to make their own judgments and are team-oriented for the sake of the project. Group differences, one of the 5 types of conflict in project management, can happen when two different groups of workers don’t work efficiently due to their differences. Workers that can’t be team players and get along with their fellow construction workers make construction work a lot harder than it needs to be.

Workers with group differences will slow down the flow of the construction project. Whether there are communication problems or a difference in personality, workers have to overcome their differences for the benefit of the project. Workers that get along, work as a team, and set aside their differences will always finish a construction project faster and more efficiently than those who don’t.

Negotiations

A project manager wears many hats during a project. One of two hats that the project manager always seems to wear is that of a negotiator. Negotiations can occur during any phase of the project and multiple times during each phase. Project managers can negotiate with the project team, customers, and stakeholders. Some project managers are very good at negotiating, while others are not quite as good. A good negotiator knows there are two main classifications of negotiations: competitive and collaborative.

A competitive negotiation is a type of negotiation that is like a winner-takes-all battle royal. One side tries to get all of the resources and not share. This is a dangerous type of negotiation as bridges can be burned and feelings hurt.

A collaborative negotiation is the opposite of a competitive negotiation. This type tries to make both parties winners, also known as win-win negotiations. Most project managers look to use collaborative negotiations, as it will build long term alliances and decrease the chance of conflict later.

Conflict Resolution

The second hat that a project manager always seems to wear is the conflict resolver. Conflict resolution, just like negotiations, can occur during any stage of the project and can occur between the project team, stakeholders, and customers. So, how does a project manager resolve conflict? Well the first thing he should do is:

Separate

The first item a project manager must do is separate the conflict down into issues and people. The project manager must always remember that people have feelings and can harbour hard feelings for a while. The project manager must remember people are people, and issues are, well, issues–that is a long-winded way of saying work is work. After separation, the project manager can confront the parties, withdraw from the conflict, or step in and provide a resolution.

Confront

On a project, the project manager (most of the time) is the final authority when it comes to conflict resolutions. The project manager confronts both parties and hears them out for a quick resolution. The project manager has the authority to make decisions in favour of one or the other party.

Withdraw from Conflict

This is where the project manager will withdraw from the conflict and let things work themselves out. Years of experience have taught veteran project managers this is not a good way to solve conflict.

Compromise

The project manager will negotiate a collaborative solution to the conflict. The project manager will try to find a happy medium to allow both parties to walk away feeling as though they won. This will help smooth things over with each side.

Concede

Some conflicts are not worth the time of both parties. When the project manager determines what the issue is, he can arrange for one party to have a win and the other party to walk away. This would be like competitive negotiations.

There are five general techniques for resolving conflict. Each technique has its place and use:

1) Withdraw/avoid. Retreating from an actual or potential conflict situation; postponing the issue to be better prepared or to be resolved by others.

2) Smooth/accommodate. Emphasizing areas of agreement rather than areas of difference; conceding one’s position to the needs of others to maintain harmony and relationships.

3) Compromise/reconcile. Searching for solutions that bring some degree of satisfaction to all parties in to temporarily or partially resolve the conflict. This approach occasionally results in a lose-lose situation.

4) Force/direct. Pushing one’s viewpoint at the expense of others; offering only win-lose solutions, usually enforced through a power position to resolve an emergency. This approach often results to a win-lose situation.

5) Collaborate/problem solve. Incorporating multiple viewpoints and insights from differing perspectives; requires a cooperative attitude and open dialogue that typically leads to consensus and commitment. This approach can result in a win-win situation.

Individual level planning to manage stress focuses on developing individual behaviour that helps in the elimination of sources of stress. It helps in developing a perspective to view things that enables the person to cope with stress in a more effective manner.

Above all ‘can’ and ‘positive’ attitude matter the most in managing stress. It has been rightly said ‘They can because they think they can’.

Developing a Positive Attitude towards Life:

Adopting a positive attitude towards life goes a long way in dealing with stress. It helps the individual to deal better with the problems of daily life. Positive orientation and attitude towards life bring optimism in responding to the situations and help in overcoming worry and anxiety.

Having a positive attitude helps us in seeing the bright side of life and expecting the best to happen. It is basically a state of mind worth developing as it prepares and enables us to handle, cope with, and manage stress. An individual should learn to enjoy life and recollect happy memories. One should understand that obsession with difficulties or indulging in self-pity does not help.

Physical and Psychological Withdrawal:

Scheduling of activities has another advantage. The worker is able to keep some time away from the workplace to relax and be with oneself. This time may be spent in relaxation, with family and friends, recreational activities, hobbies, travelling, or simply introspecting.

Employees who keep some time aside to physically and psychologically withdraw from work- related responsibilities are able to tackle work with renewed vigour the next day. Annual vacations and weekly offs are ways in which organizations aid the worker in withdrawing from work. Apart from that, many companies organize vacations and picnics exclusively for their staff; not only to reward them for their year round hard work but also to entertain and rejuvenate them.

Developing a Psychological Support System:

It helps in effectively managing stress. Similarly, expanding social support network and finding an emphatic listener to hear and suggest an objective and broader perspective about the problem situation is beneficial. If the issue is work related, then an organizational solution is required to help the individual.

Some of the strategies that the management may consider are scientific and involves improving personnel selection and placement process, training, realistic goal setting, redesigning jobs, increasing employee involvement, improving organizational communication, offering employees vacation allowances, extending sabbaticals, and setting up corporate employee welfare programme departments.

Maintaining Good Physical Health:

Regular physical exercises, such as aerobics, walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, etc., help in dealing with excessive stress. Regular sleep, and timely and healthy eating habits also help the individual to tackle stress better.

Today, yoga is fast gaining popularity not only as a stress reliever, but also as an exercise that can balance the individual’s physical, psychological, and emotional being. These physical exercises help in building heart capacity, lowering the at-rest heart rate, providing mental diversion from work pressure, and offering a means to ‘let off steam’. While exercising, the body releases a hormone known as end morphine that makes one feel good about the self.

Accepting Your Mistakes:

Mistakes are a part of human life and work. In fact an individual’s mistakes are stepping stones to success. An individual can avoid considerable amount of stress by avoiding egoistic behaviour and owning up to errors in actions and decisions, as and when applicable. The world need not be always as the individual expects it to be.

In an organization, employees may clash over technology, skills, methods, and knowledge. Excessive worry or adamant behaviour not only causes stress, but is also viewed by others as immature behaviour. An intelligent employee not only accepts mistakes but is also open and receptive to change.

This attitude is relevant to the top-level management as it is their openness to change that directs the organization towards new avenues. Hopeless cases are rare. One should never lose faith in the possibility of change.

Time Management:

It contributes a great deal in handling stress. The individual should firstly avoid the superhuman urge to do more than what he/she is capable of. They should learn to say ‘no’ to tasks that are beyond their capacities of time and energy.

Scheduling meetings and prioritizing tasks leads to the completion of tasks, both simple and complex, within a given time frame. However, the individual has to be disciplined and needs to stick to the daily, weekly, or monthly agenda so as to achieve the target goals. This not only reduces stress but also ensures that targets are met on time.

Practising Relaxation:

Techniques such as meditation, hypnosis, and bio-feedback reduce tension. As per Forbes and Pekala (1993), the objective of practising relaxation techniques is to feel physically relaxed, somewhat detached from the immediate environment and from body sensation.

Practising transcendental meditation, yoga, ego-void activity an activity without the sense of doership such as voluntary work in an NGO or religious place, having faith in a higher power, reading, and practising spirituality can also reduce stress to considerable levels.