thehappyworkplace
.com.au
conflict resolution
for businesses
across Australia
The Value of Workshops
Teamwork matters!
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Yet it can be very challenging when people are brought together in a workplace and have to share the same space, sometimes for long periods of time, with others who are from very different backgrounds or have very different interests and values.
Many, if not most of us, whatever our background, education or culture can benefit from learning how to communicate with others in a more compassionate way.
Respectful, unambiguous communication makes it far less likely our words will be misinterpreted or cause offence.
Advantages of group workshops:
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They teach communication skills designed to avoid misunderstandings and reduce the potential for assumptions which may cause offence and they do this to multiple employees at the same time. This has the advantages that:
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All those at the workshop learn and benefit from the new skills​
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Group presentation avoids singling out one, or a small number of individuals whilst still getting the 'message' across
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Generalised awareness of the importance of clear and respectful communication develops through the entire group involved​
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Participants usually feel more relaxed (and therefore learn more easily) in a group workshops than when in a one-on-one mentoring session
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They can be valuable for team-building and improving morale both generally and individually
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Where there is no specific conflict or bullying situation already in place, this is a cost-effective way to minimise the risk of such a situation developing
Disadvantages of group workshops:
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Where one or more individuals in the workplace has a dominating personality style, this can interfere with the dynamics of the workshop and make it difficult to achieve the desired outcome. It is very counter-productive to call this person out before the group. In this situation it is necessary to engage in some one-on-one support with this person or persons before the workshop. If this is not done, the outcome will be compromised and involving the person(s) in a one-on-one situation afterwards may be less effective. The workshop may also need to be repeated
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While sharing in a group situation has the potential to benefit everyone in the group, many people are less likely to share and practice the new skills in the presence of others
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Sometimes, if a group workshop is held when only a small number in the group are the intended 'target', this can backfire. Most people do not have the self awareness necessary to realise and accept that they personally have a need to make improvements to their own behaviour! This means that they only half-listen to the workshop, and have a "this doesn't apply to me" attitude. Even when a person has been clearly 'told' that their behaviour needs to change, they frequently enter a state of denial. We each have a natural tendency to believe only what we want to believe and this can be a barrier to realising or acknowledging to themselves that it is them that needs to change!
Talk to us about your workshop needs now
