Last updated on Jun 26, 2024

Top executives are at odds over decision-making. How can you navigate this power struggle effectively?

When top executives clash over key decisions, the fallout can ripple throughout an organization, creating a challenging environment for everyone involved. As a professional in executive management, you might find yourself caught in the crossfire of a high-stakes power struggle. Understanding how to navigate this terrain is crucial for maintaining a cohesive leadership team and steering your company in the right direction.

1 Assess Context

Before diving into the fray, take a step back to assess the situation. Understanding the underlying issues at play can provide valuable insight into each executive's stance. Consider the historical decision-making patterns within your organization and the personal motivations that might be influencing the current conflict. By grasping the context, you can approach the situation with a strategy that acknowledges the concerns of all parties and aims to find common ground.

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Matthias L.

Die richtige Kommunikation ist Gold wert.
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Wenn es schon Machtkampf genannt wird, dann ist man nicht mehr im Bereich der Lösungsfindung. Sollte den beteiligten Personen daran gelegen sein, wirklich die aktuell beste Lösung finden zu wollen, dann kann die Konsent-Entscheidung ein Hilfsmittel sein. Geleitet von der Frage "Good enough for now? Save enough to try? Gibt es Einwände und wenn ja, wie können diese behoben werden? Wichtig ist das aktive Einbringen von Lösungen bis man einen Zustand erreicht hat, der für alle gangbar ist. Das führt zu schnellem Handeln und erlaubt weiterhin, Learnings einzuarbeiten.

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2 Build Alliances

Cultivating strategic alliances within the organization is a smart move. Identify colleagues who share your perspective or who have influence over the conflicting parties. By fostering relationships with these individuals, you can create a support network that will help you advocate for a resolution. Remember, alliances are not about taking sides but about promoting dialogue and understanding among the leadership team.

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3 Communicate Openly

Open communication is vital in resolving executive disagreements. Encourage all parties to express their viewpoints in a constructive manner. Facilitate meetings where each executive can share their perspectives without interruption. By creating an environment where open dialogue is welcomed, you'll help to break down barriers and foster a more collaborative approach to decision-making.

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Tibor Stefán

Chief Revenue Officer @ Zeotap | SaaS Sales
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Open communication should be ingrained in the company culture at its core. If it’s not, there’s a fundamental issue that needs addressing!!! Encouraging all parties to express their viewpoints constructively and facilitating meetings where each involved party can share their perspectives without interruption helps break down barriers and fosters a more collaborative approach to decision-making.

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4 Offer Solutions

Rather than simply observing the struggle, be proactive in offering solutions. Present well-thought-out proposals that address the concerns of the conflicting executives while also advancing the organization's goals. Your objective is to bridge the gap between differing opinions by suggesting compromises or alternative strategies that might not have been previously considered.

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COLBY MORRIS

Fractional COO | Strategic Leadership & Operational Excellence | Podcast Host & Speaker
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A strong executive team should always have proactive planning in place to resolve conflicts and disagreements among the executives. The team should already know how the decisions will be made, and the manner in which the views will be communicated. Not only does this create an open dialogue, but it also creates a fairness of decision making.

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5 Leverage Mediation

Sometimes, an external perspective can be invaluable. If internal efforts to resolve the conflict have stalled, consider bringing in a professional mediator. A neutral third party can help to facilitate discussions, offer fresh insights, and guide the executives towards a mutually satisfactory resolution without the baggage of internal politics.

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6 Embrace Change

Finally, recognize that power struggles often signal a need for change within an organization. Whether it's a shift in leadership dynamics or a transformation of decision-making processes, being open to change can be a positive outcome of executive conflict. Embrace this opportunity to reassess and potentially improve how your organization operates at the highest level.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Executive Management

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Top executives are at odds over decision-making. How can you navigate this power struggle effectively?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Context

2 Build Alliances

3 Communicate Openly

4 Offer Solutions

5 Leverage Mediation

6 Embrace Change

7 Here’s what else to consider

Executive Management

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Top executives are at odds over decision-making. How can you navigate this power struggle effectively?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Context

2 Build Alliances

3 Communicate Openly

4 Offer Solutions

5 Leverage Mediation

6 Embrace Change

7 Here’s what else to consider

Executive Management

Rate this article

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