Working Well: Practicing humility and finding support can help when political tensions rise at work

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There’s no easy way to bridge the political divides that have created rifts in communities, families and friendships

NEW YORK — There’s no easy way to bridge the political divides that have created rifts in communities, families and friendships.

But workplace morale and productivity can take a hit when ideological differences are left to fester, affecting teamwork and feelings of mutual respect. Finding a safe space to process emotions while remaining civil can be a delicate balancing act.

While talking politics with colleagues can be fortifying, the opposite also can be true when we disagree. Being exposed to strongly held beliefs that run counter to one’s own values can lead to people feeling mistreated or unsafe. This month's U.S. presidential election heightened those tensions.

“There was a lot of anxiety during this election, and in times of anxiety you need to create psychological safety in people,” said Ron Gutman, an adjunct professor of leadership at Stanford University and the co-founder and co-CEO of health technology company Intrivo. “You need to create trust in people, to bring back the trust in each other.”

Here are some tips from business leaders, psychologists and communication experts on how to navigate political conflicts in the workplace.

To cultivate a more peaceful working environment, executives, managers and employees can practice humility. That means seeing ourselves as equal and not superior to our colleagues and subordinates, and recognizing that no one has all the right answers.

When we listen to others thoughtfully and relinquish a reflexive belief in our own infallibility, it allows us to remain open to new ideas and perspectives, said Inclusivv CEO Jenn Graham, whose organization creates