What productive conflict can offer a workplace | Jess Kutch

Summary

The speaker, a labor organizer and co-founder of coworker.org, discusses the varied reactions to workplace organizing and the importance of 'productive conflict'. Through stories like Alex's wage campaign, they illustrate how collective action can lead to positive change, such as pay raises. The speaker encourages embracing conflict as a means to address workplace issues, improve conditions, and foster a stronger economy that benefits everyone.

Takeaways

• 😕 The speaker experiences three types of reactions when explaining their job: confusion, discomfort, and excitement.
• 🤔 The confusion stems from a misunderstanding of 'organizing' as in tidying up, rather than workplace activism.
• 😰 Discomfort arises from the challenge to power dynamics in the workplace, especially among those in positions of authority.
• 🤩 Excitement is expressed by those who recognize the need for change and improvement in the workplace.
• 💡 The speaker suggests that conflict in the workplace can be productive when approached thoughtfully and collectively.
• 💼 The power imbalance in workplaces is acknowledged as a reality that is constantly shifting.
• 🌐 The speaker's organization, coworker.org, uses technology to facilitate workplace organization and activism.
• 📈 An example is given where an employee's campaign for a raise led to a company-wide wage increase, demonstrating productive conflict.
• 👥 Productive conflict often occurs when employees care deeply about their jobs and their colleagues.
• 🏢 Contrary to expectations, more activism is found in better workplaces, not the worst ones.
• 📊 High levels of employee engagement in conflict can correlate with lower turnover rates and higher productivity.
• 🛠 Business leaders are encouraged to embrace conflict as a means to identify and address underlying workplace issues.
• 🔧 The speaker calls for collective participation in shaping the future of work, emphasizing the importance of challenging and improving broken aspects of work life.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of the organization coworker.org?

The primary goal of coworker.org is to use technology to help people join with their coworkers and organize for improvements in the workplace.

What are the three common reactions to the speaker's profession as a labor organizer?

The three reactions are: confusion about what organizing means, an uncomfortable silence when the concept of collective bargaining is explained, and excitement from those who believe in the necessity of workplace improvements.

Why does the speaker believe that their work stirs up strong reactions?

The speaker believes that the strong reactions are due to the topic of conflict, which is uncomfortable for those in power but exciting for those who lack power or know someone who does.

What is the significance of the story about 'Alex' from the outdoor retailer?

The story of 'Alex' illustrates an example of productive conflict, where an employee's dissatisfaction with her pay led to a successful campaign for wage increases across the company.

What does the speaker mean by 'productive conflict'?

'Productive conflict' refers to the act of challenging workplace policies or decisions in a thoughtful and collective manner, which can lead to positive changes and improvements.

Why does the speaker suggest that people engage in productive conflict when they care about their jobs and coworkers?

The speaker suggests that engagement in productive conflict is a sign of care for one's job and colleagues because it shows a willingness to address and resolve issues that affect the workplace environment and employee well-being.

What is the relationship between employee activism and the company's voluntary turnover rate in the script's example?

In the example provided, the company with more than 50 employee-led campaigns on various issues has the lowest voluntary turnover rate in its sector, suggesting that employee activism can lead to a more engaged and stable workforce.

What advice does the speaker give to business leaders regarding conflict in the workplace?

The speaker advises business leaders not to fear or suppress conflict, but to embrace it as a sign of underlying issues that need attention and an opportunity for improvement.

How does the speaker relate the current technological transformation to the need for shaping the future of work?

The speaker relates the technological transformation to the need for shaping the future of work by emphasizing that as work structures change rapidly, everyone needs to participate in challenging and changing broken aspects of work life.

What is the speaker's hope for the audience's response to future workplace conflicts?

The speaker hopes that the audience will view invitations to join workplace conflicts, such as signing letters to bosses or discussing concerns about policies, as opportunities to build a better, stronger workplace and economy.