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Handling Conflict at Work
For anyone who dreads a tense coworker, a prickly email or a disagreement in a meeting. Each day is one small, practical step toward calmer, clearer conversations at work, so disagreements get settled instead of stewing.
Work · Work · Communication · Assertiveness · one to-do a day · you choose how many days
The first seven days
- Day 1Think of one work disagreement that is bothering you and write one sentence on what you actually want to come out of it.
- Day 2Name the problem in a current work friction without using anyone's name, such as "the schedule changes too late," and write it on a sticky note.
- Day 3Before replying to a sharp email, write your answer in a blank document, wait twenty minutes, then cut it by half.
- Day 4Ask one coworker you disagree with a curious question today: "What makes that approach feel right to you?"
- Day 5In your next disagreement, restate the other person's point in one sentence and ask "Did I get that right?" before giving yours.
- Day 6Turn one complaint about a coworker into an "I" statement on paper: "When the report arrives late, I end up rushing my part."
- Day 7Pick one tense email thread that has gone back and forth more than three times and offer a five-minute call instead.
Further into the year
The to-dos keep changing as the year goes on. A few from later in this theme:
- Day 30Pick one small irritation at work, like a stapler never put back, and decide to let it go for good.
- Day 60When you notice your voice rising at work, deliberately slow down and drop it a notch.
- Day 120Look at how chores in the shared kitchen are split and suggest a simple rotation at the next team meeting.
- Day 240Suggest a shared calendar for meeting rooms or equipment if people keep double-booking them.
- Day 365Close the workday by letting go of one disagreement that is settled, and leave it at the door.
How a challenge works
A Theraglee challenge is a theme with one small to-do for every day of a year. You choose how long yours runs, anywhere from a week to the full year, and each day you get the next to-do: something that takes a few minutes and fits inside an ordinary day. Tick it off when it is done. Nothing is scored and nothing is lost if you miss a day; the next to-do is simply waiting when you come back.
Challenges come with a free Theraglee account, which never asks for a card. Your progress stays private to you.