How Leaders can overcome conflct, influence others and raise performance - Essay Example

Topic: "How Leaders can overcome conflict, influence others and raise performance What was new to you The very idea of “metaphorical hostage” is very new to me. I had always assumed “ hostages” as helpless, unlucky people who were at the mercy of gun totting kidnappers/abductors in shopping malls, flights, subways and similar places. It was an entirely new concept to think of being held hostage by a boss at the workplace. Kohlrieser has given an entirely new meaning to the term hostage and the emotional and psychological strings it brings with it.

I would never have thought of negotiating with my boss on any of the issues I have been working on. However, with this new insight, I can be well armed to face the boss on an equal footing. I have learnt how not to be held an emotional hostage in my relationships, whether personal or business. 2. What would you apply/use being a leader and why? I would try to apply the techniques of conflict resolution to bring about the necessary decisions. While doing this, I would have to keep in mind the following:1.

Recognize when I am being held a metaphorical hostage and what to do about it 2. Understand how to use “the mind’s eye” for high performance leadership 3. Explore ways and means to create trust and engagement and elicit cooperation and collaboration from everyone involved.4. Learn techniques for maintaining high motivation 5. Become better prepared to resolve conflicts and handle difficult conversationsBeing a leader, I might also have to resort to taking my team members “metaphorical hostages” to achieve the desired results.

As a leader, my ultimate goal would be to increase productivity and enhance performance. Thus, I would try to use all the available skills to achieve this, including engaging in productive dialogue and resolution of tough problems.3. What did you learn?Through this write-up, I have learnt valuable tips on how to be an effective leader and overcome conflict by skillful negotiations. I would even try to influence others and raise the performance of my team.If we can understand the intricacies of our relationships, beliefs and values that shape our thinking, recognize and respect the intrinsic dignity of the individual, we can be sure to act in an appropriate manner and be free from a situation in which we could be held as a metaphorical hostage.

Thus, I can confidently say that I will not be held a hostage, emotionally or physically in any given situation: personal or business. I will be in a position to effectively deal with difficult situations :both at work and in my personal life. The essence would be to be calm and composed in any situation and look for solutions, rather than give into the demands made by superiors/abductors.References1. Auguries of Innocence, William Blake, http://www.emerge.ch/hostageatthetable/preface.html2. HOSTAGE AT THE TABLE: How Leaders Can Overcome Conflict, Influence Others, and Raise Performanceby George Kohlrieserhttp://www.webster.ch/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=593&Itemid=1