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Workplaces in the United States are remarkably conflict averse. Many people dont even like to give criticisms to someone else directly, let alone to hash out a disagreement over a path forward or address a conflict of values. As a result, we kick many conflicts down the road in ways that create problems. We lead people to believe we agree with them when we dont and we fail to address small concerns early on, when they can be fixed. This failure to act can turn a molehill into a mountain. That said, it is not always good to engage conflict directly or immediately. Here’s what you can do to make those conversations productive. Let the heat die down When you first become aware of a conflict, there is often an emotional reaction that goes along with any contradiction or disagreement that you may recognize cognitively. This duality to a conflict reflects the distinction made in psychology between hot (that is emotional) states and cool (that is cognitive) states. A strong emotional reaction comes along with energy. That energy drives you to want to act. Unfortunately, when the energy level is quite high, you may act without reflecting deeply on what youre doing. In order to make your disagreements as productive as possible, it is best to wait for any initial energy associated with the disagreement to subside. That way, you can focus your discussions on having a good give and take. In addition, it can be valuable to take the time to think through both what you want to say to someone else as well as what youre hoping to accomplish from the interaction. What is there to be gained? Addressing conflict is inherently difficult. It is hard to do, and it can put strain on a relationship in the short-term. So, there has to be some benefit to going through the process. When youre exploring whether to engage directly with someone about a disagreement, you want to highlight what you hope to gain from the conversation. Start by highlighting your ideal end state. Are you trying to make someone else aware of a problem they might not know about? Are you trying to influence someones behavior? Are you trying to change a decision that was made in the past? Once you have a sense of what youd like to accomplish, you can then plan a structure for the conversation to help you reach that goal. Part of that plan involves finding a way to tell the individual youll be talking with what you want. That is, the ideal conversation around a conflict is not one that just highlights that there is a problem, but also charts a path forward. It is important to bring a constructive mindset to difficult conversations. You may not know what the solution to a problem is, but you should plan to explore potential solutions. You can ask others for help generating ideas. If you are raising a problem with someone for the first time, it is also possible this discussion may catch them by surprise (or even lead to an emotional response). So, be prepared to schedule another time to talk later when the other party is ready to explore solutions. Be open When you initiate a conversation around a difficult topic, you know your side of the story. You also have your sense of what youre hoping to accomplish. You are probably missing key information as well. Thats one reason why you want to have a conversation. In order to make it a true discussion, though, you have to be willing to learn and potentially change your mind as a result of what you hear. That openness can be difficult. Conflicts can lead to a sense that you have to win the discussion by bringing the other person over to your way of thinking about things. The goal of a difficult conversation isnt to win. It is to reach an accommodation to address the source of the conflict. That solution is likely to involve compromise on your part. You should prepare yourself mentally that youre not going to get everything you want before the discussion starts, so that you dont dig your heels in and get in the way of a path forward.
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E-Commerce
At my house, theres an ongoing countdownmy three daughters are eagerly ticking off the days until schools out. Theyre dreaming about camp, late nights outside, and long days filled with play. As a mom, I love their excitement and I know how important this time is for their health and physical development. Im reminded at work that play shouldnt be viewed as a luxury, but an essential. At UNICEF, we know health, education, and protection from harm are foundational rights for every child. But it may be surprising how important play is in that equation. Research shows that when children have time and space to play, theyre not only happiertheyre healthier, more focused in school, and more likely to thrive long term. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that doctors actually prescribe play, recognizing its impact on brain development and emotional well-being. Create spaces for children to be children The lack of access to safe play areas, particularly children living in conflict zones, puts them at a disadvantage. To address this issue, UNICEF promotes physical activity and creates safe environments dedicated to play to ensure the health and well-being of children around the world. Conflict and disasters are not only disorienting and traumatizing, but they often uproot children from their homes and rob them of opportunities to just be kids. In emergencies, UNICEF responds with medicine and humanitarian supplies, and works to set up child-friendly spaces too. A child-friendly space allows children in crisis to focus on being kids. Play creates a sense of desperately needed normalcy and goes a long way toward minimizing the effects of trauma. Often when faced with a crisis, children are cut off from school. In these instances, a UNICEF child-friendly space will also serve as a temporary classroom or informal learning space. For many children who might never find their way back to school, these child-friendly spaces continue to offer basic education to keep those children learning. Play isnt a privilege, its a childs right When kids engage in play, they experiment with invention, boost creativity, enhance language and critical thinking abilities, and forge friendships. These skills are critical as they get older, and the lessons learned from play translate to the workforce. The benefits reaped from play are so important that, last year, the United Nations established a day focused solely to the power of play. On June 11, International Day of Play was dedicated to celebrating the power of play and its central role in a childs development. In addition to acknowledging the importance of play, UNICEF and other organizations are leveraging this moment as a call to action for governments, businesses, and other stakeholders to scale up services that promote play, enable access to preschool and learning through play for three- to six-year-olds, and ensure every child has access to safe, inclusive, and well-maintained play areas. What starts on the playground also shapes the future Play is more than just funits how children build the skills theyll carry into adulthood. Through play, kids learn to solve problems, collaborate, think creatively, and build confidenceskills theyll need not just in school, but as the workforce of tomorrow. Thats why play doesnt lose its value as we grow older. At work, my team carries big responsibilities, but Ive seen how making space for playeven in small waysstrengthens our ability to connect, think differently, and lead with resilience. Play in the workplace isnt frivolousits foundational. So now, as summer begins and our kids head into long days of play, wed do well to remember: What starts on the playground doesnt stay there. It shapes how we grow, how we work, and the kind of world we want to build. Thats why UNICEF works around the world to protect every childs right to playbecause play isnt a privilege. Its essential for healthy development, learning, and healing. Michele Walsh is executive vice president and chief philanthropy officer of UNICEF USA.
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E-Commerce
In 2019, I joined a group of entrepreneurial women with one bold goal: to create the only bank in the country strategically built to close the gender lending gap. That vision became First Womens Bank. We were motivated by the numbers, and the opportunity to drive change. Women are transforming the economy in this country, owning over 14 million businesses representing 39% of all businesses, employing over 12 million people and generating $2.7 trillion. But despite this momentum, women are still not accessing the capital at equal rates as men. Women receive just 16% of commercial bank loansand only 4.4% of total dollars lent in the small business economy. That is the gender lending gap. It is layered. It is complex. But it is also highly addressable. Every business owner is unique, so we dont paint all women-owned businesses with a broad brush. But when you look at the data, a few patterns emerge. Understand the financing options First, many women simply arent connecting with the right forms of commercial capital. We often see women over-relying on personal credit tools when starting out, and sometimes throughout the life of their business. That might mean using credit cards, personal savings, or home equity lines to keep the business afloat. While resourceful, this approach is also limiting, and it can hurt their ability to qualify for commercial debt financing down the line. At the other end of the spectrum, we see women running high performing, growing firms turning to equity financing to fund expansion. Sometimes, depending on the industry or the companys life stage, thats the right call. But in many cases, it isnt. Some women may not be aware of their other options or realize that a competitively priced commercial loan can be a more cost-effective way to finance growth. This has real consequences. Studies show that on average, women founders retain just 48 cents of equity for every $1 retained by male business owners. Think about that: Women are overcoming obstacles, building successful companies, and then only owning half of their own success. We believe that needs to change. Our goal is to connect with women earlier in their business journey. Were encouraging them to think about commercial financing not just as a last resort, but as a strategic tool for growth. Education and outreach Over the years, weve also seen that women feel left behind in the lending process. They want to make informed financial decisions, but when the information or guidance isnt accessible, they get discouraged and disconnect from the process entirely. Imagine the potential if women could double or triple their access to capital, the ripple effect across jobs, communities, would be transformationalnot just for women, but for the entire U.S. economy. So, we rolled up our sleeves. We strategized, we led, and we built. Over two years, we raised nearly $40 millionthe most ever raised by a startup bank in Illinois. We launched in 2021 with a simple mission: to grow the economy by elevating the role of women within it. And from the start, investors and partners saw the power in what we were doing. Our success is rooted in that clarity of purpose. It takes a village But from the beginning, we knew we werent going to do this alone. It takes a village. Our ability to lend and support women-owned businesses is powered by deposits, and weve been fortunate to partner with some of the largest and most respected companies in the country. These organizations support First Womens Bank by holding zero interest deposits with us, creating real impact with their cash. The corporate mission partnerships are a concrete way for companies to bank with their values, support gender equity, and strengthen financial inclusion. We also knew we needed the right advocates at the table, leaders who could help amplify our mission on a national level. Thats why we created our Strategic Advisory Board, made up of lifelong champions of equality who have helped bring national attention to the power and potential of the womens economy. Billie Jean King, Sophia Bush, Nia Batts, Allyson Felix, and Wes Felix have all been instrumental in our journey. The solution is layered So, while the gender lending gap has many causes, it also has clear solutions. It starts with access. It grows through education. It scales through capital. And it thrives through partnership. This work is deeply personal to me. Throughout my career, Ive seen how often women are underestimated and how often we underestimate ourselves. Ive also seen what happens when women access the tools, the capital, and the support they need: They thrive, they lift others, and they transform communities. Thats why Im here. Thats why this bank exists. And when women rise, we all rise. Marianne Markowitz is president and CEO of First Women’s Bank.
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E-Commerce
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