Savoir-vivre transcends it all: societies, places, settings, behaviors. With that being said, it does not stop at the threshold of the enterprise. The professional milieu is a subdivision of society. It is a place where we interact with others, a place where rules of conduct apply, a place where we engage in the art of living with one another.
Conflicts are inevitably escalating within any relation, especially within the ones in a professional work environment. These discrepancies may occur by dint of factors such as unshared visions, misunderstandings, stress, or competition, to name a few. Not to worry, as history is our witness, there is always resolution to conflict. Yet, the magnitude of the friction depends on the strategies we choose to implement in order to dissolve it. Today, we will show you a few savoir-vivre-esque stratagems that can be the aces up your sleeve when confronted with such circumstances.
Professionals nowadays are obsessed with growing and are longing more from their jobs. They want to stand out in front of their superiors and to stand above their colleagues. When facing a potential conflict, one should remember that the attitude they are taking towards it sets the tone of the confrontation. There are various ways to approach a disagreement, but by adopting a courteous and respectful behavior, one might just end up attracting all odds in their favor and cleanly evolve professionally. Among the values that savoir-vivre is preaching, we can note courtesy, respect, honesty, loyalty, diplomacy, tolerance, and patience. These guidelines should be fulfilled in any occurrence, and conflicts are no exception. One shall always keep their eyes on the price but shall never lower themselves into embracing unholy ways of actioning: one must always be a gentleman.
“Graham’s Hierarchy of Disagreement” illustrates this attitude: it shows that name-calling, disregarding, or belittling your opponent in a fight is inefficient and unbeneficial, yet, if engaging in an open and considerate manner towards the other, collaboration and agreement is reached. The mode in which we are tackling problems says a lot about ourselves. As so, it is imperative to reflect and behave according to the virtues we live by. Consequently, we should see conflict as an opportunity to show our true, most candid colors, and if they lay in the palette of savoir-vivre, be sure that you will stand out.
Managing conflict resolution is a highly seeked-out skill and proving that we know how to do it genuinely and gracefully is what will put us in the path of success and distinction in the workplace.