How to Lead, 5th Edition

Chapter 24

Handle conflicts

There are conflicts in the best-run organisations. The leader should be highly suspicious if there is no conflict, because organisations are set up for conflict.

Let’s emphasise this point. In any organisation there is a limited pot of money, management time, skills and resources. Different products, functions and regions will inevitably have different perspectives and priorities. They are all bidding for the same limited resource pot. The ensuing bidding war between departments may be civilised or it may be underhand, political and nasty. In any event, there is a contest and a conflict going on. For many leaders in the middle, the real competition is not in the market place – it is sitting at a desk nearby, competing ...