Adversity in the workplace and in business is not uncommon. As a business manager, you're tasked not only to keep the peace, but to find solutions when adversity occurs.

1. How to Deal with
Adversity in Business
David Kiger

2. Complex businesses often have complicated
communications, management methods, and
conflicts. Every member of your team is unique.
As a result, each has differing opinions, work
styles, work ethics, and needs.
As a business manager, you're tasked with not
only keeping the peace but also engaging in
solutions when adverse conditions occur.
How can you address, resolve, or end conflicts
in your business environment? Here's what
David Kiger has to say about it.

3. Create a Positive Mind Frame
Adversity impacts every person and every business. Whether you are a startup organization looking to
overcome a complex problem or a company expanding too quickly, adversity occurs. Conflicts, whether they
have to do with two people who do not agree or complex management styles that do not mesh, need to be
addressed. Before this can happen, though, individuals need to put on a positive attitude.
That seems simple enough, but in effect it is rarely simplistic. Adversity will impact every facet of the work
environment if not addressed (or addressed soon enough). It's biggest impact isn't in the bits and pieces of
the problem, but rather in the feelings, thoughts, and emotions of those involved. In short, if you do not take
on conflict right away, it builds and worsens. Two people arguing about the placement of equipment, for
example, could be simply solved through the right conflict resolution strategy. If left to build, that simple
problem builds up and becomes adversity that splinters the workforce.
To combat this, it's essential to find a positive attitude from which to start. Motivation, positive discussions,
and quick approaches can help you to achieve this.

4. Find the Right Conflict Resolution Strategy
With the goal of resolving the problem and with a positive mindset, managers need to consider the right
conflict resolution strategy for the immediate problem. Consider these ways of managing adversity in
business.
1. Written communication: Not as effective as it used to be on the floor, written communication is essential
nevertheless. Break down the wall between the individuals or groups and resolve the conflict by having
those involved write down the problem and to write down specifics about why they are struggling with the
problem. By writing down and addressing the others involved, there's no negative yelling to overcome.
2. Employ mediation. In many situations, individuals cannot resolve their conflict on their own. Mediators
need to address the problem from a neutral standpoint and then make a decision.

5. Find the Right Conflict Resolution Strategy (cont.)
3. Discussions are one of the key methods to resolving conflicts, of course. Establish rules for the
conversation. Specifically, when team members are no longer willing to communicate with each other, it
becomes imperative to sit them down to do just that.
4. Compromise is effective in some situations. When neither party is necessarily wrong, compromise
works well. Both parties give in to some level while accepting the other's needs as well. Everyone gets
something and gives something.
5. Collaborating is also valuable. The goal here is to have the two people come together to find a solution
that works for their unique needs. They must design the solution together.
In some situations, the answer is no. For example, if someone is not following the rules, rules which must
be followed to ensure safety is present in the manufacturing process, there is no compromise, not
communication, and no collaboration. In these situations, management needs to step in to correct the
underlying problem for good.

6. Tips for Addressing, Resolving and Ending Conflict
No one wants to work in a business that's facing adversity. However, conflict is a main component of many
organizations. View conflict as a type of adversity for your company. You have two options:
You can give in to the adversity, shutter your company doors, reduce your profits, or otherwise give up,
acknowledging the adversity is too much.
You can find a way to overcome and work through the conflict to reduce the adversity present
thoroughly.
It's always important to recognize instances of adversity occurring in your business or on your
manufacturing floor. When you see
People who are not communication
Tension
Poor performance
A lack of eye contact

7. Tips for Addressing, Resolving and Ending Conflict (cont.)
Take action! Address the conflict immediately using one of the conflict management strategies listed
above. Ending conflict means opening and improving communication. It means taking action immediately to
keep fighting for your business. The fact is, a small conflict will escalate. It will impact your business over
time and it could impact it in a very costly manner.
With a positive mind frame, David Kiger says, look for conflict, address it as an adverse problem impacting
your business, and end the conflict in such a manner as it helps to propel your business and your team
forward instead of holding you back from the success you desire and need.