Using triangulation for problem solving is never a good idea
Assertiveness can actually resolve most conflicts at work.
But many people avoid direct communication and take their concerns to a third party, creating a toxic work environment.
On an organizational level, one of the most common shortcomings lies in how difficult it can be to resolve conflicts at work. A common and ineffective strategy is triangulation. This is what triangulation means: when A has a problem with B, A vents with C. In other words, people look for another colleague with whom they can talk about their problems and frustrations.
However, it is not a good idea to use triangulation for problem solving, either in personal or professional relationships. While it is true that confiding one's feelings, worries and experiences to someone else can be rewarding, this is not always the best strategy and especially not at work. This is because in the long run it tends to create a toxic environment where people take sides and are generally more negative.
Today, as everyone knows, it is new technology that sets the standard in many work environments. Automation and artificial intelligence will play an even more important role in the near future. At the same time, there are still many shortcomings in the more human aspects of most jobs. Aspects such as communication, conflict resolution and emotional intelligence are some of them.
If you have problems at work, it is not a good idea to relieve yourself on a colleague. Instead, you should use assertiveness and negotiation.
When triangulation is the only method to solve problems in the workplace
There are several effective ways to resolve conflicts at work. In the 1970s, psychologists Kenneth Thomas and Ralph Kilmann defined five main styles of conflict management. The best style was the cooperative strategy. It emphasizes self-confidence and cooperation.
A common problem in the workplace is that people tend to sweep problems under the rug. In fact, it's only when things start to go really wrong that most companies try to do something. That this happens is often due to the use of triangulation.
Using triangulation at work is a bad idea
Dr. Mike D. Boyette was the first to apply the term triangulation to a work environment. Boyette is an expert in leadership and communication. He points out that triangulation is a useful concept when it comes to navigation. It is used to find out where you are in the middle of the ocean. You measure a triangle with two known points and your own unknown point.
However, this is not the same in a work environment. Think about that for a minute. In triangulation, the first thing people do is talk about the problem with a third person when something happens to a work colleague, the manager or another person in the organization. By doing so, they involve another colleague in the conflict without thinking.
These are the most common consequences of triangulation:
That avoids the problem.
It wastes everyone's time. For example, if A has a problem with B or A is aware that B is doing something wrong, A will not solve anything by talking about it with C. The problem remains.
The problem is growing bigger. Slowly but surely, the conflict between A and B will spread to the entire organization. C will tell D, E and F, and everyone will have an opinion about it. People will take sides and the atmosphere deteriorates.
Disagreement arises and productivity drops. In fact, small problems grow bigger when nobody does anything about them.
How to solve problems at work
The art of resolving conflicts at work is about commitment. There should be certain protocols in place. For example, the HR department should be able to "train" every member of the organization. It provides each employee with the necessary strategies and communication channels to resolve any conflict, no matter how small or large.
However, this is not always the case. This may be due to a lack of time, resources or interest. At the same time, you might be surprised if we say that conflict can sometimes be positive. In fact, if people work to solve them in the right way, they can make changes, create better work environments, learn from them and feel better.
Jack Ma, the charismatic founder of Ali Baba, claims that there is never a problem in his multinational company, and his employees are always happy and committed to being productive. Apparently they like to work 12 hours a day six days a week. You can of course say that the Chinese work mentality is different from the Western one. But working so many hours limits the employees' individuality. In fact, this type of politics involves dehumanization.
4 keys to resolving work conflicts
Labor conflicts are normal and expected. But letting them grow bigger than they should be is not the way to go. Not working with conflicts is actually among the worst priorities an organization can make. A company should always work to prevent problems and promote employees' self-confidence. In fact, if two colleagues are having problems with each other, they should try the following:
Be confident. A should talk to his colleague about the problem before he talks to a third party.
Know how to listen. Be open to dialogue and towards working to solve the problem.
Agree on time and improvement strategies (for example, “You need to start being on time, starting tomorrow, because I won't do your work for you anymore”).
If they cannot solve their problem among themselves, they should go to their immediate superior to determine other strategies to solve the problem. They must avoid creating a toxic environment by spreading rumors and criticism and more.
In short, remember what Einstein said: If you really want different results, stop using the same strategies. So avoid using triangulation for problem solving at work and start being more confident.
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