You know that feeling when you walk into a room and the tension is so palpable you could cut it with a knife? It's as if there's a massive elephant taking up all the space, silently daring anyone to acknowledge it.

 No one ever does, because we’re scared. But if we’re brave enough to face our fears, we can shrink the elephant and give our team more room to shine.

I recently had the pleasure of discussing this very topic with Genevieve Hawkins, an expert with deep skills in health, human behaviour, and commercial business, and the author of “Shrinking Elephants.” Our conversation left me with invaluable insights that I'm excited to share with you

According to Genevieve, the elephants arise when people see the same situation through different lenses, shaped by their experiences and perspectives. The first step to confronting them is to acknowledge that other people might see things differently than you. Not because they want to be difficult, but because their view of the problem—or the elephant—is different from ours. Having differing views isn’t a bad thing in itself.  It’s when we fail to acknowledge and discuss these differences that conflicts grow, blocking effective communication and productivity.

So why don’t people speak up more often? The biggest reason is fear - fear of confrontation, fear of career repercussions, or simply the belief that speaking out wouldn't change anything. It's an environment we've all experienced, where discomfort festers quietly and impacts not just culture and teamwork but individual mental health as well.

Fortunately, Genevieve shares her advice on overcoming that fear and shrinking these elephants - trust. When disagreements are addressed openly, trust is built—not on agreeing, but on the shared ability to have open discussions about differing views. To foster this environment, Genevieve suggests leaders intentionally create bonds with their teams. By finding common ground, recognising strengths, and being curious about team members’ perspectives, leaders can create a safe space where divergent opinions are valued.

Managing group discussions when an elephant emerges requires tact. Genevieve recommends establishing a common language for addressing and resolving these issues. By recognising the elephant and setting ground rules for respectful discussion, teams can embrace diverse perspectives, turning potential flashpoints into opportunities for creative problem-solving.

Finally, Genevieve reminded me that workplaces aren't meant to be free of conflict. On the contrary, the absence of disagreement often indicates tension and lurking quiet conflicts. Constructive conflict, when managed well, can be beneficial by providing a platform for new ideas and improvements.

So, look around your workplace for any elephants lingering in the corners, it’s time to illuminate them! In doing so, you’re opening pathways to trust, innovation, and ultimately, a stronger, more cohesive team.

LINKS

Connect with Genevieve Hawkins:

LinkedIn:    https://au.linkedin.com/in/genevievehawkins

Website:     https://genevievehawkins.com.au/

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here 

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn:    https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website:     https://juliehyde.com.au