What Is Internal Conflict?
At its simplest internal conflict is the mental struggle that occurs when a person is torn between two opposing desires, beliefs or goals. For corporate leaders this might be dilemmas around ethical decisions, prioritising team welfare over business outcomes or balancing professional duties with personal values.
For example, a manager is asked to implement a policy they don’t agree with. The resulting internal conflict can create emotional turmoil and self doubt and stop them from making a decision. Recognising and addressing those feelings is the first step to resolving the conflict.
Types of Internal Conflict
Internal conflict can take many forms. For leaders these are some of the most common:
Moral Dilemmas
When values and professional duties collide it creates a moral dilemma. For example, should a leader tell a client about a mistake that could lose them a contract or should they not tell them to protect the company’s reputation?
Emotional Struggles
Leadership requires managing emotions when making tough decisions. Balancing empathy and compassion with objectivity can create internal battles especially in high stakes situations.
Cognitive Dissonance
This is when a leader’s actions contradict their beliefs. For example, approving budget cuts that affect employee benefits might go against a leader’s values of creating a supportive workplace culture.
Causes of Internal Conflict
Internal conflicts often arise from competing priorities and pressures. Key causes are:
- Clashing values: Misalignment between personal ethics and professional goals.
- Role expectations: Leaders feel conflicted when their responsibilities require behaviour that doesn’t align with their natural instincts.
- External pressures: Societal, organisational or peer pressure can amplify internal struggles making decisions harder.
Knowing these causes helps leaders address the root of the conflict not just the symptoms.
The Impact of Internal Conflict on Leadership
Unresolved internal conflict can have big consequences. It can muddy judgement, reduce productivity and even lead to burnout. Leaders with internal conflict may experience:
- Decision paralysis: Procrastination can delay critical decisions and hold back team progress.
- Self sabotage: Internal conflict often leads to behaviours like procrastination or avoidance which can undermine productivity.
- Reduced team morale: A leader with internal conflict may inadvertently project stress to their team and affect team morale and cohesion.
Knowing these impacts means we need to take proactive conflict resolution.
How to Resolve Internal Conflict
Resolving internal conflict requires self awareness, structured approach and external support. Here are some practical strategies for leaders:
1. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness techniques like meditation or journaling can help leaders observe their thoughts without judgment. This clarity helps decision making.
2. Use Decision Making Frameworks
Frameworks like pros and cons lists or priority matrices can simplify complex decisions and reduce the emotional burden of internal conflict.
3. Get External Input
Professional coaching, peer mentoring or even casual chat with a trusted colleague can give you valuable insights and alternative perspectives.
4. Reconnect with Core Values
Leaders should reflect on their values and make sure their actions align with their long term goals and beliefs. Regular self assessment can prevent recurring conflicts.
Internal Conflict as a Growth Opportunity
While difficult internal conflict is an opportunity for personal and professional growth. By facing and resolving these struggles leaders build resilience, empathy and self awareness – qualities that help them inspire and lead others. Each conflict resolved is a step to becoming a better and wiser leader.
Resolving Your Internal Conflicts
Reflect on the strategies above, get support when you need it and grab the growth opportunities that come with resolving your internal struggles. If you want to take your leadership to the next level consider talking with us or investing in our leadership programs.
