Navigating Workplace Dynamics at Your Agency

Every agency’s workplace is dynamic. It’s unique to your organization’s values, processes, and, most importantly, personalities and perspectives.

Navigating these internal dynamics can be tricky and downright stressful, but as a supervisor, it’s critical for you to lead your team effectively without succumbing to conflict or confrontation.

Here are three quick key takeaways from this month’s Supervisor Community of Practice with Dr. Gerome Q. Banks, PSHRA-SCP, Federal Talent Strategist. You can also view the session in its entirety below.

1. What leadership strategies are most effective in navigating internal politics without compromising team morale? While Banks acknowledged that internal politics can be a “cringy” topic that people shy away from, he pointed out that it doesn’t have to be, as you can be “politically savvy without being politically driven.” He went on to say that it’s essential to understand the power structure of your organization so that you can build cross-functional allies, while also staying grounded and transparent with your own team.
2. How can supervisors create an environment where team members feel safe and motivated to contribute to a healthy and productive workplace culture? The first thing to remember, said Banks, is that we are all humans leading humans. “I’m not perfect and I don’t expect perfection, and by acknowledging that, it leads to greater empathy, vulnerability, and builds trust.”
3. What are some proactive steps we can take to prevent conflicts from escalating in our team? Step one? Knowing that if conflict happens, you have not failed as a leader. “There are personalities that will conflict, and you just have to do the best you can, and keep conflicts from escalating and infecting the rest of the team.” Building strong 1-1 relationships is a good way to spot problems early, so you can intervene before it becomes a bigger issue.

Be sure to join us for our next Supervisor CoP, Engaging an Unengaged Team, on Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. ET.