United States | Building a Positive Workplace Culture: Addressing Workplace Conflict With the ‘Pebble in Your Shoe’ Principle

Krista Eittreim - 25.08.202320230825

United States | Building a Positive Workplace Culture: Addressing Workplace Conflict With the ‘Pebble in Your Shoe’ Principle

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Building a Positive Workplace Culture: Addressing Workplace Conflict With the ‘Pebble in Your Shoe’ Principle

United States | Building a Positive Workplace Culture: Addressing Workplace Conflict With the ‘Pebble in Your Shoe’ Principle

In my daily life, I often find myself disagreeing with someone’s actions, and it’s just like having a sharp pebble in my shoe.  

Here at Insentra, we’ve fully embraced this analogy as an effective approach to address workplace issues before they escalate into something that’s more than just a minor inconvenience. We strive to prevent these “pebbles” from turning into blisters and causing further discomfort, by promptly dealing with differences of opinion. Our organization prioritizes tackling problems head-on, finding resolutions, and building a supportive environment.  

Since joining Insentra, I’ve witnessed how this principle has been put into action. 

When faced with a pebble in our shoe, we’re confronted with a choice. Initially, it may appear as a minor annoyance, and we might attempt to shake it out or ignore it, which can work well for easily resolvable irritations. However, when the pebble begins to create discomfort and hinder our progress, it becomes crucial to take action. At Insentra, I’ve experienced firsthand how our leaders empower us to act when we encounter a pebble in our shoe. They create an environment where we can raise issues without fear of repercussions, and they ensure that dedicated time and space are allocated to mediate conflicts before they escalate. 

In situations where a crew member experiences an interpersonal conflict and brings it to the attention of a leader, we resolve to address the issue directly and transparently with all parties involved.  

The principle “seek to understand before being understood” guides clear and respectful communication. This approach facilitates conflict resolution and enables us to find common ground. Likewise, when discomfort stems from a company practice (rather than an individual), sharing concerns with relevant leaders allows us to find constructive solutions that benefit the entire organization. 

Insentra is the first organization I’ve joined that cares about mediating conflicts before they escalate, which is refreshing for me. The “pebble in your shoe” principle embodies a proactive approach to managing workplace dynamics and preventing conflicts from turning into larger issues. Allowing unresolved conflicts to persist can lead to further complications, affecting not only the individuals involved but also the overall harmony of our teams and organization. 

Creating an environment that encourages open dialogue and conflict resolution is paramount. We’ve fostered a culture of trust by establishing and upholding a company policy that promotes the free expression of concerns. This enables us to promptly address discomfort before it becomes a bigger problem that could strain relationships and hinder productivity. We understand our community thrives when everyone feels comfortable discussing their concerns.  

Insentra has cultivated a culture of open communication and empathy – empowering our crew to address issues as they arise. We can offer assistance, kindness, and understanding by embracing genuine curiosity and concern. 

This supportive atmosphere resolves immediate issues, strengthens relationships, and builds trust within our teams.  

Discomfort, whether it takes the form of a pebble or blister, presents an opportunity for personal growth and learning.  

Addressing issues directly fosters resilience, assertiveness, and effective communication skills. We each come to learn from our experiences, understand different perspectives, and find constructive solutions. Moreover, promptly resolving issues contributes to the growth of Insentra as a whole. Creating a safe space for dialogue and conflict resolution makes us more adaptable, innovative, and harmonious as a company and team. We become better at tackling future challenges. 

The “pebble in your shoe” metaphor reminds me of the importance of addressing issues directly and promptly.  

When I do this, I prevent minor issues from snowballing into significant challenges. Whether communicating openly with those involved or seeking assistance from our leaders – taking proactive steps leads to my personal growth, nurtures relationships, and contributes to the supportive community we’ve built at Insentra.  

Our crew understands that promoting individual growth makes us stronger as an organization too. 

If these values resonate with you, it’s possible we have a job vacancy that suits your skills and experience. Feel free to browse available positions, and reach out if anything piques your interest! You can also contact us for any questions or feedback related to our services.

Hungry for more?

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We’re a certified amazing place to work, with an incredible team and fascinating projects – and we’re ready for you to join us! Go through our simple application process. Once you’re done, we will be in touch shortly!

Who is Insentra?

Imagine a business which exists to help IT Partners & Vendors grow and thrive.

Insentra is a 100% channel business. This means we provide a range of Advisory, Professional and Managed IT services exclusively for and through our Partners.

Our #PartnerObsessed business model achieves powerful results for our Partners and their Clients with our crew’s deep expertise and specialised knowledge.

We love what we do and are driven by a relentless determination to deliver exceptional service excellence.

United States | Building a Positive Workplace Culture: Addressing Workplace Conflict With the ‘Pebble in Your Shoe’ Principle

Insentra ISO 27001:2013 Certification

SYDNEY, WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022 – We are proud to announce that Insentra has achieved the  ISO 27001 Certification.