Being prepared for the unexpected is all part of day-to-day office life. Challenges present themselves in ways you might not have planned for, knocking your workflow off balance in the process. But with the right procedures and plans in place, you can easily overcome challenges at work when faced with unpredictable situations.
Here, we’ll talk through tactics and methods that’ll help you deal with some of the most common challenges in the workplace.
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- What is a workplace challenge?
- What causes common workplace challenges?
- Importance of dealing with challenges in the workplace
- How to deal with challenges in the workplace
- Workplace Challenge Examples and Solutions
What is a workplace challenge?
Workplace challenges can come in many forms, from an overload of work to conflict within the team. Ultimately, a workplace challenge is any challenge that negatively impacts the output of a team at work.
Challenges can be minor or major, with minor challenges usually being dealt with by the individuals involved. Major challenges might require interventions from senior members of staff.
What causes common workplace challenges?
Workplace problems come in many different shapes and sizes. And while some are bound to be highly specific to your own office or sector, there are plenty of universal problems that teams and individuals will face in every workplace.
We delved into a range of challenges, issues, and roadblocks to see if any patterns emerged. Here are the problems that most frequently appeared:
- A lack of proper training for new employees
- Poor organisation and training for existing employees
- Poor communication between employees
- Lack of employee recognition
- Inflexible schedules or a lack of work/life balance
- Staff conflicts, harassment, or bullying
- Staying engaged and motivated
- Dealing with change (such as staff turnover, client changes, managerial switches)
Importance of dealing with challenges in the workplace
Challenges like poor training, conflict, or improper communication can hinder productivity and output in the workplace, but they can also leave long-lasting repercussions.
If left unattended, simple misunderstandings with communication can lead to conflict, which may turn into high turnover.
Addressing workplace challenges before they worsen is key to producing a workplace environment that consistently produces a high standard of work collaboratively.
How to deal with challenges in the workplace
Understand the problem
The first step to solving a challenge in the workplace is to understand the problem. Take the time to learn who the problem involves, why the problem has occurred and how it could be solved and avoided in future. If the problem involves you, try not to villainise your colleagues, and keep an open mind.
If you’re a manager, assess the problem with a level head and try not to take sides before you’ve established the facts.
Stay level-headed
When a workplace challenge arises, it’s easy to let emotions dictate our responses, but this can make the problem worse in many cases. Try to focus on the facts of the situation rather than how it has made you feel. Removing feelings from your decision-making process will likely result in more effective long-term solutions.
Be proactive
Rather than dwelling on the issue, focus on planning instead. Be proactive, rather than reactive; every problem has a solution after all. They may not always be readily apparent, which makes us more likely to lament what we’ve seen as a failure. And that’s OK for a while, but after that time’s up, it’s time to plan a solution.
Use what you’ve learnt from this situation to turn it into a positive, so you’re better equipped for next time. Trying another tactic and approaching things from a different angle might give you the advantage when similar circumstances arise.
Don’t be afraid to admit mistakes
If a challenge was the result of a mistake you made, then admitting the mistake is usually the best move. There’s nothing wrong with taking ownership of your mistakes, especially when it stands in the way of moving past a challenge. It shows that you’re willing to grow and that you’re a person of character. Too often, it’s viewed as a weakness, but your honesty will be appreciated by the others in your office when it comes down to it.
Workplace challenge examples and solutions
As we said, problems are bound to vary from office to office. However, certain scenarios are more common than you might think. Here’s a selection of heated, and familiar, situations that you could well find yourself in, along with how to defuse them…
You’re overloaded with tasks
If you find yourself suddenly overwhelmed with tasks outside of your job description, it may be time to have a conversation with your line manager. If workloads remain unmanageable, consider speaking to HR to explain that these extra tasks are taking a toll on your actual responsibilities.
Working on a group project with colleagues you don’t get on with
Group projects can be troublesome at the best of times, but they’re especially irksome when working alongside colleagues with whom you don’t get along. It doesn’t have to be a complete disaster; some strategies can still salvage the project.
Firstly, you can use this as an opportunity to get to know the colleague you’ve previously bumped heads with. More often than not, this can develop into a solid working relationship.
If that fails, you can work to set boundaries with this member of the team so that you work professionally, without overstepping. This could involve letting them know your ways of working, or simply taking breaks from working with them.
Your team is afraid to speak up to you
Being a manager doesn’t preclude you from dealing with challenges. If those on your team are afraid to speak up, make suggestions or offer solutions, then it may be because they’re afraid of reprisal in some way, shape or form.
Managing by fear can have disastrous effects on those below you and is more than likely going to lead to low productivity, a more disengaged team and a lack of confidence in their abilities.
You can deal with it by making it clear that you’re open to feedback. Invite those on your team for their views and opinions whenever you find yourself in meetings. By letting them know you’re open to their insights, they’ll take it as a sign of encouragement, which will allow them to become more engaged in their duties and feel like they’re part of a proper team.
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