Everything in life is about relationships. Personal relationships, romantic relationships, family relationships, and work relationships are examples of the types of relationships that comprise every aspect of our lives. The health or your marriage is dependent on the relationship you have with your spouse just like your productivity at work is dependent on the relationship you have with your coworkers and supervisors.

Some may argue that this isn’t necessarily true; that you can get your job done regardless of whether you get along with your co-workers. However, anyone who has worked in a hostile environment created by workplace conflict can attest to how distracting it can be and how much it can directly influence productivity.

Workplace disputes typically impact a wide range of people; not just the coworkers directly involved in the dispute. This creates tension and uneasiness. It also creates awkward situations where employees may be put in a position to listen yelling or complaining that should not involve them.

Employers may find that many people do not know how to properly and respectfully handle conflict because they have never been taught that. Mediation is an amazing skill and resource for handling conflicts in the workplace in a respectful and productive manner. It allows each individual involved the opportunity to not only hear but be heard.

Mediation training can also provide employees the mental and emotional resources needed to mediate their own conflicts, so they are resolved before getting to the level of employer involvement. Employment issues can wreck a business, which is one of the many reasons they need to be resolved quickly.

One approach to introducing mediation in a nonthreatening way is with a keynote speaker. Keynote speakers are trained to talk on a wide range of topics in a positive and inspirational way. They can address relational leadership style and relational process allowing supervisors to gain the understanding and skills needed to lead without conflict and to handle conflict effectively.

Keynote speakers offer inspiration and motivation in addition to valuable resources and information. They are also able to provide information in a way that it will be better received than information simply handed out or instructed by a supervisor. Keynote speakers have a solid approach that allows them to connect with people on a personal level.

Bringing in a keynote speaker can also be enjoyable for the employees and lesson tension that may be present. Employees who may be in conflict will not feel they are being disciplined. Ideally, a speaker will be brought in and mediation will be considered and taught as an effective approach prior to there being problems in the workplace.

Addressing issues like employee conflict before it exists is the best approach to take because then employees and supervisors will be prepared to follow proper procedure when facing conflict. It will also help to create an environment where conflict won’t grow.