Management Tip of the Day: 3 Ways to Manage Clashing Leadership Styles

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile JULY 26, 2010 3 Ways to Manage Clashing Leadership Styles If everyone had the same management style as you, life at work would be easier, wouldn't it? Not necessarily. While managing the tension can be challenging, working with someone who has a different approach than you can often yield innovation and creativity. Here are three ways to make the most of differing styles: Unpeel the onion. On the surface, you may seem to have little in common with your coworker. But if you look deeper, you are likely to see shared values or a mutual goal. Focus on what you have in common, not on what you don't. Manage your expectations. Recognize that you and your coworker are going to have different expectations about how things should be done. Communicate about these disparities and be open to doing something another way. Push for innovation. The true value of diversity is a richer end product. Use your relationship to find innovation and benefit in the work you do together. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Three Ways to Capitalize on Creative Tension" by Amy Jen Su and Muriel Maignan Wilkins. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: RELATED PRODUCT Leading Through Conflict Harvard Business Review Press Book As our world grows smaller, opportunities for conflict multiply. Ethnic, religious, political, and personal differences drive people apart — with potentially disastrous consequences — and it's the task of perceptive leaders to bring them together again. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS 3 Tips for Achieving Short-Term Career Goals How to Craft the Job You Want 3 Elements to Include in Your Next Change Campaign 3 Tips for Resolving a Conflict with Your Coworker How to Ask for a Reference Letter 3 Things to Do if You Feel Stuck in Your Job 2 Steps to Changing Your Bad Habits 3 Tips for Strengthening Your Big-Picture Skills 4 Things Your Employees Need From You Know the 3 Ingredients of Important Conversations BEST SELLERS Guide to Persuasive Presentations HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials Financial Intelligence Collection HBR's 10 Must Reads on Managing Yourself Guide to Better Business Writing Job Seekers, Take Note Whether you've been laid off or are considering a job change, HBR's Guide to Getting a Job will help ensure that your next move is the right one. Only $19.95. Buy now » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)