Managing Political Tensions at Work: 7 Tips for Leaders

As the culmination of four unprecedented and divisive years in US history, this election cycle has proven to be an incredibly turbulent one. As many of us grapple with the coming results, the US election will not end suddenly at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow. 

Current (legal) disputes around voting methods and deadlines foreshadow the possibility of ongoing conflict following the count - each side may claim that the other has won through deception and be reluctant to accept the results. Even if all parties accept the final election results, we may experience a lingering bitterness that could continue well into the next election. 

What does this mean for the workplace?

For those who are leaders, it is well-advised to mitigate the negativity and division within their teams surrounding this election and the last four years as a whole.  

Following the 2016 election results, Richard Brodhead, the former Duke University president, wrote an open letter to the Duke University community, stating: 

“Whatever positions we held in this contest, we all have a stake in the future health of the national community, so we all need to find ways to lessen negativism and division and to re-engage the common good.”

He then highlights the university’s unyielding “respect for differences.” He goes on to assert that “we must not simply tolerate differences of opinions but create the conditions for respectful dialogue that allow mutual education to take place.” 

As a leader, it is in you and your team’s best interest to find ways to promote healthy discussion and dialogue throughout the next few weeks. Tensions may be high. Things may feel strained or agitated, and despite not being physically in the workplace (depending on your COVID-19 work policies), you will still have to face the oncoming change. 

As we mentioned above, this election probably won’t simply “come to an end.” It will likely live on and impact your day-to-day. To help you navigate what may come, here are seven easy-to-implement recommendations from the Dialogue Project. We hope that these will enable leaders to tackle the potential challenges of a protracted post-election cycle disagreement:

• Avoid remaining silent on the issue. Communicate as much as possible and address the elephant in the room. 

• Listen actively. Every individual holds a responsibility to be an active listener and be respectful towards others. It’s crucial to remind your employees to speak from their own experiences and do not speak for others or a group.

• Recognize the difficulty and challenge that may come for some of your employees. The most potent and impactful initiatives on civil discourse start with this acknowledgement. Identifying outwardly that these conversations may be challenging will help your employees feel more at ease when sharing. 

• Acknowledge that many will feel passionately and deeply about these issues, seeing as they directly impact them. And remind your team that while it can prove to be tough to pull back that passion, or for someone to hear views that differ from their own beliefs, that communication and understanding will help disarm negatively charged situations.  

• Model desired behaviour. Being aware of how others react in times of stress and being conscious of the words, views, and ideas you hold and articulate is paramount. In times of stress, employees carefully take in the words and actions of their leaders. This extends to the casual banter that exists in different communication channels.

No matter the intent, these discussions may be highly scrutinized, and during a time of duress, be taken in the wrong manner. Managers who find themselves embroiled in passionate discussions should aim to speak briefly, share the conversation time equitably, resist the desire to interrupt, and highlight areas of mutual understanding.

• Exhibit leadership through a lens of empathy. The day following the US election, and probably for days after that, will be a time for leaders to emphasize their softer skills in the workplace. We all may find it challenging to keep our cool as post-election conflict escalates to its climax. Remember to show empathy and compassion -acknowledging the challenges and emotional upheavals that your employees may be facing will help them connect with you and feel safer at work. 

• Avoid taking on the role of the office pundit. Social media and cable news have given everyone a platform and inspired us to become amateur pundits. Resist the urge to share your own predictions and analysis, and keep yourself out of the toxic news cycle where possible. Avoid getting swept up in the daily drama, as it may lead others to make assumptions about you.

These inferences may be unhelpful and increase, rather than lower, the political temperature in the workplace. This may prove challenging to entirely avoid, especially if you are in a business that may be profoundly affected by the election results or by the overall uncertainty itself. But it is vital that leaders and managers at all levels minimize it.

Finally, a bonus: don’t forget to emphasize your company’s core values. Depending on how the next few days and weeks play out, and especially if there is any civil unrest across the country, take time to emphasize your company policies regarding safe workplaces, bullying, harassment, etc. Remind your team of the importance of not allowing political differences to divide them or impact their working relationships. 

No matter the election results, there will be some uncertainty in the workplace in the following days. It is also an excellent time to share and remind folks of your company’s work around diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Reiterate that there are structures to help support any individuals who may be feeling overwhelmed or may need a mental health break.  

This year has been a challenging one. From the pandemic, the lockdown and the floodlight that has been cast on widespread racial injustice, it is clear that leaders everywhere must step up and help close the growing divide between their people. 

What you do in the workplace will spill over into the rest of the world, so it is important to act thoughtfully. Be aware of the impact of your words and keep it in mind that things you do or say could become public. Lead by example and provide your team with the support it needs for the next week. If you’re looking for more resources, make sure to check out our election anxiety page or contact us to learn how you can provide your employees with microlearning pieces around mental health and racial injustice.