Leadership in Action: Getting to the Roots of Conflict with Your Boss

DEFINING MOMENT

If you are a manager, it's important to understand the circumstances in which conflicts can arise between you and your boss. Understanding the context allows you to make a full examination of the conflict so you can work toward a resolution. Therefore, before you can effectively manage a conflict with your boss, you need to examine your own definition of conflict, your beliefs about conflict, and your behavior during situations of conflict. The goal is to understand the specific situations, or triggers, that tend to give rise to conflict, and your reactions, or coping strategies, in those situations. Once you understand how particular situations can cause conflict and how you interact with your boss in these situations, you will ...