“Speak to people in a way that is in harmony with their experience.” – Stephen Covey (author)

Everyone believes communication is the most important thing in relationships, friendships, and so on but not everyone wants to talk things out. The truth is that communicating how you feel to a person might come off as hard for some of us, so we’d rather bottle up our feelings than express them until, oh well, we can’t take them any longer.

This problem is not absent in the workplace, as some employees or organizations also struggle with communicating effectively. Let’s look at a case study to help us understand our topic a little bit more.

Case Study: Clash of Styles Leads to Conflict

The Problem

Dozie, a detail-oriented and meticulous designer, worked alongside Halima, a creative and quick-thinking copywriter. They were tasked with collaborating on a new marketing campaign. However, their contrasting work styles led to constant clashes. Dozie would meticulously plan layouts and critique Halima’s draft copy for minor grammatical errors. Halima felt stifled by his nitpicking and believed her creative vision wasn’t being respected. Frustration built, culminating in a heated argument during a team meeting.

The Breakdown in Communication

• Lack of Understanding: Neither understood the other’s perspective. Dozie saw his meticulousness as a sign of quality, while Halima viewed it as hindering creativity.
• Focus on Differences: They fixated on their contrasting styles instead of seeking common ground.
• Passive-Aggressive Behavior: Dozie’s constant critique came across as passive-aggressive, while Halima’s dismissive attitude towards revisions fuelled the tension.

The Solution

• Mediated Discussion: Their manager intervened and facilitated a discussion between them, encouraging each to express their concerns and working styles respectfully.
• Identifying Strengths: Dozie acknowledged Halima’s creative talent and Halima recognized Dozie’s attention to detail as valuable.
• Establishing Workflow: They agreed on a workflow where Halima would present initial drafts and Dozie would offer feedback on structure and clarity, not nitpicking grammar until later stages.
• Focus on Shared Goals: Their manager helped them refocus on the campaign’s success, emphasizing that their differences could create a stronger end product.

The Outcome

By communicating openly about their working styles and focusing on their shared goal, Dozie and Halima learned to collaborate effectively. Halima felt empowered to express her creativity, and Dozie’s meticulousness ensured a polished final product. Their communication improved, fostering respect and appreciation for each other’s strengths. The campaign exceeded expectations, highlighting the power of collaboration when communication bridges individual differences.

Lessons Learned

• Open communication and understanding different work styles are key to a successful team.
• Focusing on shared goals allows collaboration to thrive.
• Respecting and appreciating each other’s strengths leads to a more positive and productive work environment.