Keeping a Lid on Workplace Drama
All the world’s a stage, but your office is a place of business.
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances…” (William Shakespeare)
At work however, sometimes the DRAMA can stop your production in its tracks.
Over the last year, business work environments have undergone massive change. From temporary closures, to remote working conditions to intermittent telecommuting and back again, employees have faced workplace upheaval that has amped up their stress levels. When stress goes up, employees can act out, and not in any way that will win them any awards.
This stress can boil over and create vignettes of workplace drama that can stop the show. These drama disruptions can be felt throughout the entire organization and might be a symptom of a larger concern.
Consider the cost of drama in the workplace. Drama and/or conflict cost businesses millions every year.
You will see visible signs of conflict and drama in the following:
- Disengaged Employees
- Resignations
- Absenteeism
- Lack of growth and productivity
As employees have gotten used to quieter or more isolated surroundings, coming back to a bustling workplace can be disquieting. Even the smallest noise or a raised voice can trigger a ‘scene’. Conflict between staff members over music that is too loud or battling conference calls can escalate quickly. If you aren’t tuned in as a business leader, you can’t direct your team effectively to resolve the issue.
As your team members begin to come back to a ‘normal’ work routine, it might be good to set new rules of engagement just like you did when the COVID pandemic started. You likely posted signs reminding your team to wash their hands, practice social distancing and wear their masks. Now you may have to post new signs that say. ‘Respect your neighbour, keep the volume down’ or ‘Use your quieter voice please’ or “Meeting in progress” to signal to passersby that they need to be aware of their surroundings. Remind teams to use conference spaces effectively is also a good reminder.
Yet, no measure of precautions taken, or number of rehearsals can avoid drama from flaring up. Drama develops slowly and often silently. It usually starts with one actor and spreads. Gossip is the language of drama. Spreading rumors and discontent can also fan the flames of drama. Rumors and gossip wind their way around the workplace and set people on edge. They spark outbursts and foster resentments that are often not voiced. Remember, that no message is ever heard by two people the same way. If the deliverer of the oration is adding their own flavour to the performance, feelings and egos will be bent out of shape. Once this happens, the flood gates open and drama takes hold of even those players on the wings.
It may not be rumor or gossip alone that sparks drama. Your organization may have some gaps it needs to address. If your organization has any of the following areas that need some attention, getting on script may help keep the drama under control.
- Leaders that aren’t authentic
- Perceived unfairness or inequities
- Inconsistent problem-solving process and policies
- Lack of accountability or responsibility among staff
- Lack of transparency
While drama can’t be snuffed out completely in the workplace, it can be minimized. It takes practice and constant re-education, so your actors understand their roles and the impact they have on others. Make sure you focus on these key performance enhancers.
- Set clear rules of engagement
- Build a company culture that frowns on gossip and rumor
- Executives and team leaders must model the behavior they desire
- Reward team members modeling the right behavior
- Practice respect for everyone in the organization always, at all levels
- Don’t engage, pass, or fuel destructive discourse, rumors, or gossip. Stop it cold.
- Be consistent with consequences
- Have a resolution hierarchy clearly defined so that team members understand conflict resolution is expected to be handled at all levels
- Follow the chain-of-command
- Allow for venting and feedback if it remains positive and constructive
- Be aware of the unseen drama and practice management by wandering around to keep a pulse on the performance
Like a heated kettle, employees will make noise when they are heated. Keep the temperature down and you can ensure the curtain doesn’t come down on your show.
Building a dynamic and effective team requires focus and dedication. Working with a certified professional business coach, can get help you achieve your team goals. We are so confident you will find value working with ActionCoach, that the first coaching session is on us…
