Addressing Employee Needs

As I continue exploring what makes high-performing teams tick, I've covered key topics like group dynamics, trust, cohesiveness, and psychological capital. In this post, I want to dive deeper into a crucial aspect of team dynamics: conflict. Conflict is inevitable in any team, even in high-performing ones. However, the difference lies in how these teams handle it. They don't shy away from conflict; instead, they have established rules of engagement and cultural practices for navigating it effectively. They embrace conflict, using it as a tool for growth and innovation—often with the support of a skilled facilitator. Here are some common types of conflict that can arise in the workplace: Conflict in Vision: Example: Disagreement over the company's long-term direction. Impact: Misaligned vision can fragment efforts and lower morale. Resolution: Facilitate discussions to align on a shared vision and involve all stakeholders in the vision-setting process. Conflict in Goals: Example: Differing objectives between departments. Impact: Can create competition rather than collaboration, leading to inefficiencies. Resolution: Establish clear, unified goals and ensure they are communicated across the organization. Conflict in Communication Styles: Example: Misinterpretations due to different communication preferences. Impact: Misunderstandings can escalate into larger conflicts. Resolution: Promote awareness of diverse communication styles and encourage adaptive communication techniques. Conflict in Values: Example: Clashes over ethical decisions or cultural values. Impact: Can lead to deep-seated animosity and ethical dilemmas. Resolution: Create a values-based culture and ensure organizational policies reflect shared values. Conflict in Resource Allocation: Example: Competing demands for limited resources. Impact: Can result in feelings of unfairness and hinder project progress. Resolution: Implement transparent and fair resource allocation processes. Conflict in Roles and Responsibilities: Example: Overlapping or unclear job roles. Impact: Can cause confusion, redundancy, or gaps in task completion. Resolution: Clearly define roles and responsibilities, and regularly review them to avoid overlap. Conflict in Work Styles: Example: Differing approaches to completing tasks or managing time. Impact: Can cause friction and reduce team cohesion. Resolution: Encourage flexibility and understanding of diverse work styles, and find common ground. Conflict in Power Dynamics: Example: Power struggles between employees or teams. Impact: Can lead to a toxic work environment and hinder collaboration. Resolution: Foster a culture of mutual respect and equitable power distribution. What other types of conflict have you encountered in teams? How did you resolve them? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments! #teambuilding #communicationskills #peopleskills

Every workplace has them: the eye rolls when "the Boomer" suggests another meeting, the sighs when "the Gen Z kid" mentions work-life balance again, the assumptions flying faster than Slack messages. But here's what we're missing, generational diversity might be our most underutilized organizational superpower. The research tells a compelling story. According to Deloitte, age-diverse teams make better decisions 87% of the time. AARP found that companies with multigenerational workforces are 1.7x more likely to be innovation leaders in their industries. This isn't feel-good rhetoric, it's measurable impact. Consider the complementary strengths: Boomers bring institutional knowledge and relationship capital built over decades. Gen X offers skeptical pragmatism and independent problem-solving from their latchkey years. Millennials contribute digital fluency and collaborative approaches shaped by growing up online. Gen Z brings fresh perspectives on sustainability, inclusion, and mental health that organizations desperately need. Yes, the friction points are real. Older generations sometimes view remote work requests as laziness rather than efficiency. Younger workers might interpret process-heavy approaches as resistance to change rather than risk management. Communication preferences clash, formal emails versus instant messages, scheduled calls versus quick video chats. But here's the truth: every generation thinks the others "don't get it." Boomers were once the disruptors challenging traditional hierarchy. Gen X was labeled cynical and uncommitted. Millennials were "entitled" until they became middle managers. Today's Gen Z "snowflakes" are tomorrow's industry leaders. The organizations winning today understand that patience isn't weakness, it's strategy. When a 25-year-old's fresh perspective meets a 55-year-old's pattern recognition, innovation happens. When digital natives teach established professionals new tools while learning the politics of organizational change, everyone grows. Bridging these gaps requires intentional effort. Reverse mentoring programs where younger employees teach technology while learning leadership. Project teams deliberately mixed across generations. Recognition that "professionalism" looks different to different cohorts, and that's okay. The most successful cultures I've seen treat generational diversity like any other form of diversity: a competitive advantage that requires investment, understanding, and genuine curiosity about different perspectives. Because when five generations work together effectively, you get something powerful: the wisdom to know what shouldn't change, the courage to transform what must, and the perspective to tell the difference. That's not just good culture, that's unstoppable culture. 🌟 AA✨ —————————————————————————— 👋🏾 Hi, I’m Abi: Founder of The Culture Partnership. Follow + 🔔. I discuss organizational culture, inclusion, leadership, social equity & justice.

Have you ever felt like your finances are like this bike? It's speeding ahead on its own while you’re left trying any trick in the book to catch up… And looking way less skilled than this expert bike wrangler. It’s a feeling many of us know all too well. But just like this talented man did, it's never too late to sprint ahead, grab the handles, and regain control before you crash. (I would leave the flips to him, though) Financial wellness, like any aspect of our lives, requires understanding, action, and control. Here are some steps to help you outrun and take control of that 'financial bike:' 1️⃣ Understand Your Current Situation: Acknowledge where you stand financially. Make a list of your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. 2️⃣ Set Clear Financial Goals: What are you aiming for? A debt-free life? A comfortable retirement? A dream home? Having clear goals gives you a direction to pedal towards and keeps you motivated. 3️⃣ Create a Spending Plan: A spending plan is your financial roadmap. It outlines your income and where it needs to go, so you're not spending beyond your means. 4️⃣ Build an Emergency Fund: This is your safety helmet. An emergency fund can cushion the impact of unexpected financial hits. 5️⃣ Invest in Financial Education: Knowledge is your greatest ally. Attend workshops, read books, or consult a financial advisor to learn more about managing your money. 6️⃣ Seek Professional Help if Needed: There's no shame in asking for help. If you’re struggling, so many resources are available to help you regain control. There’s always a way to get back on the bike. Grab those handlebars! — #financialwellness #moneymanagement #financialeducation [21640123-d3fd-460e-9811-f1a65d9197e2.mp4](https://lnkd.in/gaxGJRyv)

I get asked a lot to share my #1 piece of advice for financial wellness, and the reality is that there is no one-size-fits-all advice. The best thing that you can do for yourself is to really dig in and understand your finances. So many people assume they know off the top of their head but there is nothing better than putting pen to paper. So, as you roll up your sleeves to dive in, here are some things to keep in mind.   1. Create your roadmap: If you can only do one thing, start by taking a 360 look at your current financial situation. Review your income, expenses, debts, and assets to figure out what you have, what you own, what you owe and where you want to go. This will give you a clear picture of your financial health (and a roadmap for getting where you want to go).   2. Identify your realistic and aspirational goals: Categorize each of them as either a short-term or long-term goal. Whether it's saving for a vacation, buying a home, or planning for retirement, having clear goals will help guide where and how you save and invest your money.    3. Review and adjust regularly: Like life, your financial situation will change, so when it does it's important to go back and regularly review and adjust your plan. Update your budget, reassess your goals, and make necessary changes to ensure your plan remains relevant. January is #FinancialWellnessMonth so it's a great time to start implementing some of these strategies into your financial rhythm! Other experts, what tips would you add to this list to prioritize financial wellness?

💸 Let’s talk about financial wellbeing. For many of us, financial stress is the invisible weight we carry — affecting not just our wallets, but our mental health, focus, and confidence at work. Recently the People Team at All3Media reminded us of an often underused but incredibly valuable benefit: confidential 1:1 financial clinics with qualified planners through our financial wellbeing partner. Whether it's budgeting, pensions, saving for a home, or just trying to make your pay cheque stretch a little further — these clinics are here to help. Why does this matter? Because the numbers speak for themselves 👇🏽 According to the 2025 Deloitte Gen Z & Millennial Survey: ➡️ Nearly half of Gen Zs (48%) and 46% of millennials feel financially insecure ➡️ 64% of Gen Zs and 59% of millennials live paycheque to paycheque ➡️ Over 50% cite cost of living as their biggest concern ➡️ And among those who feel anxious, 41% of Gen Zs say money is a major factor 💬 I’ve personally learned that being proactive about your finances — even when it feels intimidating — is an act of self-care. And I’m so glad to see workplaces like ours taking that seriously. So what can organisations do? ✅ Offer financial education and guidance (like All3Media’s clinics) ✅ Normalise conversations around money and mental health ✅ Acknowledge the real-life pressures many employees face — beyond their job titles And what can we do for ourselves? ✨ Book that session. ✨ Ask the “silly” questions. ✨ Talk to someone you trust. ✨ Start small, but start. Because peace of mind is worth investing in. 🔁 Over to you: What’s helped your financial wellbeing? And what do you think workplaces could do better in this space? #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #FinancialWellbeing #WellbeingAtWork #CostOfLiving #GenZ #Millennials #PeopleFirst #BenefitsWithImpact #MoneyMatters #MentalHealthMatters

In the last major internal conflict I had, I stopped and thought: am I the first one to live this?! Hostility. Threats. Ah, and I was in the car on the way back from the hospital from giving birth. Nice welcome back 😂 Managers spend up to 40% of their time handling conflicts. This time drain highlights a critical business challenge. Yet when managed effectively, conflict becomes a catalyst for: ✅ Innovation ✅ Better decision-making ✅ Stronger relationships Here's the outcomes of my research. No: I wasn't the first one going through this ;) 3 Research-Backed Conflict Resolution Models: 1. The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Model (TKI) Each style has its place in your conflict toolkit: - Competing → Crisis situations needing quick decisions - Collaborating → Complex problems requiring buy-in - Compromising → Temporary fixes under time pressure - Avoiding → Minor issues that will resolve naturally - Accommodating → When harmony matters more than the outcome 2. Harvard Negotiation Project's BATNA Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement - Know your walkaway position - Research all parties' alternatives - Strengthen your options - Negotiate from confidence, not fear 3. Circle of Conflict Model (Moore) Identify the root cause to choose your approach: - Value Conflicts → Find superordinate goals - Relationship Issues → Focus on communication - Data Conflicts → Agree on facts first - Structural Problems → Address system issues - Interest Conflicts → Look for mutual gains Pro Tips for Implementation: ⚡ Before the Conflict: - Map stakeholders - Document facts - Prepare your BATNA - Choose your timing ⚡ During Resolution: - Stay solution-focused - Use neutral language - Listen actively - Take reflection breaks ⚡ After Agreement: - Document decisions - Set review dates - Monitor progress - Acknowledge improvements Remember: Your conflict style should match the situation, not your comfort zone. Feels weird to send that follow up email. But do it: it's actually really crucial. And refrain yourself from putting a few bitter words here and there ;) You'll come out of it a stronger manager. As the saying goes "don't waste a good crisis"! 💡 What's your go-to conflict resolution approach? Has it evolved with experience? ♻️ Share this to empower a leader ➕ Follow Helene Guillaume Pabis for more ✉️ Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dy3wzu9A

🎙️ New Episode Alert on 4-Quarter Lives Podcast! 🎙️ In our latest enlightening episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Pedro Pitella about the groundbreaking efforts of Sanofi to build an age-inclusive workplace. We dove deep into the workings of Generations+, Sanofi's intergenerational Employee Resource Group, which Pedro leads with passion and vision. Key Insights: Fostering Age Diversity: Discover how Sanofi is actively shaping a workplace that values the contributions of every generation. Strategic Initiatives: Learn about the strategic updates Sanofi is implementing to address the needs of an ageing customer base and why it's vital for businesses today. Practical Steps for Inclusion: Pedro shares actionable steps that are making a tangible impact, reinforcing the idea that a multi-generational workforce is a business necessity, not just a social endeavor. With a rich background spanning two decades in business operations and 18 years in Human Resources, Pedro's experience is as diverse as his international career, which includes tenures at C&A, Citibank, P&G, Mondelez, J&J, and Makro. His academic foundations are equally impressive, with an Engineering degree from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and an MBA from Fundação Getúlio Vargas. Join the conversation and gain insights into how companies like Sanofi are not only embracing but leading the charge in generational inclusivity. #AgeDiversity #Inclusion #Leadership #HumanResources #Sanofi #GenerationsPlus #4QuarterLives

Innovation is the lifeblood of progress, but it doesn’t happen by chance. It’s cultivated in environments where team members feel safe to share ideas and challenge the status quo. Creating a culture of innovation means nurturing an environment where bold ideas can flourish. It’s about openness, diverse perspectives, and the freedom to experiment. When people feel empowered to speak up, creativity thrives, and true innovation follows. So, how do you create such a culture? 1️⃣ Embed a Growth Mindset: Encourage continuous learning and development across all levels of the organization. Provide resources for professional growth and celebrate learning milestones, fostering an environment where knowledge and skills are constantly evolving. 2️⃣ Facilitate Cross-Functional Collaboration: Break down silos and encourage teams from different departments to work together. Cross-functional projects can bring fresh perspectives and spur innovative solutions that wouldn’t emerge in isolation. 3️⃣ Implement Structured Feedback Mechanisms: Establish regular feedback processes focused on constructive criticism and actionable insights. Ensure psychological safety so team members feel secure, viewing feedback as an opportunity for growth rather than critique. 4️⃣ Encourage Calculated Risks: Promote a culture where calculated risks are welcomed. Empower your team to explore new ideas and approaches without fear of failure. Recognize and reward innovative efforts, even when they don’t result in immediate success. By embedding these principles into your organizational culture, you can pave the way for continuous growth and success. Let’s create spaces where innovation is not just an aspiration but a tangible reality. #Leadership #Innovation #FutureOfWork

Interview Conversation Role: RTE in #SAFe framework Topic: Conflict Management 👴 Interviewer: "Imagine the Product Manager and System Architect disagree over feature priorities, with the PM focusing on customer needs and the Architect concerned about tech debt. As the RTE, how would you handle this?" 🧑 Candidate: "I’d remind them to focus on the PI objectives and find a middle ground." 👴 Interviewer: "Say this disagreement is slowing decision-making, impacting team alignment, and morale is dipping. What specific actions would you take to mediate?" 🧑 Candidate: "I’d encourage both of them to think about the project’s overall goals." What a skilled Release Train Engineer should say: ------------------------------------------------------ In cases like this, it’s crucial to foster open, constructive discussions without losing sight of both customer value and technical stability. 🌟 I’d start by facilitating a conversation with the PM and Architect to unpack their priorities and establish a shared understanding. 📅 In a similar situation, I scheduled a conflict-resolution workshop with both roles, focusing on ‘value vs. sustainability’ using the Economic Framework. 🏹 We assessed the impact of each priority on the PI objectives, assigning weights based on business and architectural needs. The workshop helped clarify the ROI of tech improvements and immediate features, allowing them to make informed trade-offs. 🛠 To make it concrete, we identified one high-priority feature to advance and a critical refactor for the next PI. By reaching a balanced decision, we addressed urgent customer needs while setting a feasible path for addressing tech debt. 🚩 Impact: This approach helped restore team alignment, fostered trust between the PM and Architect, and improved the ART’s overall efficiency. ✍ As an RTE, my role is to mediate these discussions by grounding decisions in shared values and structured prioritization, ensuring both immediate and long-term value are achieved.

Understanding Financial Literacy: The Key to Financial Wellness In today’s complex financial landscape, being well-informed is more than just a good idea—it's essential for achieving financial wellness. Last year, I had the pleasure of gifting the insightful book “Get Good with Money” by Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche. This fantastic resource not only lays the foundation for mastering personal finance but also empowers individuals to take control of their financial futures. I am thrilled to share that Tiffany has taken her passion for financial education to the next level with her new PBS show, also titled “Get Good with Money.” This show brings her tried-and-true strategies to a wider audience, making financial literacy accessible and engaging. Inspired by Tiffany’s work and my love for food, I’ve started hosting monthly family meetings that combine delicious meals with discussions about financial wellness. These gatherings have become a platform for sharing knowledge, encouraging open conversations about money, and ensuring that each family member feels empowered to take charge of their financial journey. Here are some tools and habits that you might consider to stay educated about finances: 1. Reading Financial Literature: Books like “Get Good with Money” are invaluable, but there are numerous other titles out there that cater to different aspects of finance—budgeting, investing, saving for retirement, and more. 2. Podcasts and Online Courses: Platforms like Khan Academy, Coursera, and various finance-focused podcasts can provide valuable insights into personal finance topics at your own pace. 3. Regular Financial Check-ins: Much like my family meetings, schedule regular discussions about finances with a trusted friend or family member. Sharing experiences and tips can help keep everyone accountable. 4. Utilizing Budgeting Apps: Tools like Credit Karma (formerly Mint), YNAB (You Need A Budget), and Personal Capital are excellent for tracking spending, budgeting, and managing investments. 5. Following Financial Influencers: Social media is a treasure trove of financial advice. Follow reputable accounts that resonate with your financial goals. 6. Staying Updated on Economic News: Regularly read financial news articles or subscribe to newsletters that provide updates about the economic climate and trends. 7. Workshops and Community Programs: Local communities often host workshops or seminars on financial literacy. These are great avenues for in-person learning and networking. Being informed about finances equips you to make better decisions, prepares you for unexpected challenges, and empowers you to build a secure financial future. What tools or habits are you using to stay educated on finances? I’d love to hear your thoughts and learn from your experiences! Let’s continue this journey toward financial wellness together. 🏦💡💰