I will explore how units respond when emotionally close colleagues experience conflict, and what are the psychological repercussions. It's important to understand that when individuals who have strong emotional connections with each other experience conflict, it can lead to a range of negative consequences, both for themselves and those around them.
Let's define "emotional closeness." Emotional closeness is a deep level of connection between two people that extends beyond just knowing one another on a surface level. This type of closeness involves trust, openness, vulnerability, and mutual support. When two individuals are emotionally close, they often share private thoughts, feelings, and experiences with each other. They may also confide in each other during times of stress or difficulty, seek advice, and provide comfort.
When these emotionally close colleagues experience conflict, they can feel a wide range of negative emotions, such as hurt, anger, frustration, guilt, shame, or fear. These emotions can be difficult to process alone, which is why having a partner or friend to talk to about them can help.
When the conflict occurs between individuals who are emotionally close, it can complicate matters even further.
If two coworkers who are close friends have a disagreement, their relationship may become strained. They might avoid each other at work or be less friendly than before. If they don't address the conflict, it could fester and cause more damage over time. On the other hand, if they do address it, they may need to spend time working through the issue and repairing the relationship. This can take effort and time away from their professional responsibilities.
The psychological repercussions of this type of conflict can be significant. Individuals may experience increased stress, anxiety, depression, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They may find it difficult to focus on their work, have trouble sleeping, or struggle with relationships outside of work.
They may blame themselves for the conflict or feel like they aren't good enough.
The impact on their mental health can be substantial.
The unit as a whole can also suffer when two emotionally close colleagues experience conflict. This can lead to tension within the team, reduced productivity, and a lack of trust between team members. It can also create a negative atmosphere that affects everyone involved, including clients, customers, or other stakeholders.
To avoid these negative consequences, units should prioritize open communication, empathy, and active listening. When conflicts arise, teams should come together to discuss them openly, understand each person's perspective, and find solutions that work for everyone. This requires patience, understanding, and willingness to compromise.
Emotional closeness between coworkers can lead to intense feelings during times of conflict. The psychological repercussions are significant, including increased stress, anxiety, and depression. Units must prioritize open communication, empathy, and active listening to minimize the damage caused by such situations.
How do units respond when emotionally close colleagues experience conflict, and what are the psychological repercussions?
Research indicates that unit members often feel distressed and anxious when their colleagues experience conflict because it can lead to tension, stress, and uncertainty within the team (Smith et al. , 2018). The psychological repercussions may include increased levels of cortisol, which is linked to heightened levels of anxiety and depression (Johnson et al. , 2015).