Discussion: View Thread

  • 1.  How can we diminish internal turf battles and the harm they cause?

    Posted 15 days ago

    Annete Simmons once described turf battles as, "What's mine is mine, what's yours is questionable." Sometimes defined as internal competition over an area of business or resources, turf battles damage work relationships and reduce an organization's effectiveness.

    What strategies have you seen used to overcome these situations? How successful were they?



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    William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
    ENGINEER
    Columbus MS
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  • 2.  RE: How can we diminish internal turf battles and the harm they cause?

    Posted 11 days ago

    Turf battles are extremely frustrating situations. My most successful strategy is finding a value proposition for cooperation that appeals to the counterparty. The counterparty, often operating under a scarcity mentality, needs to see that they will come out ahead, financially, reputationally, etc, by cooperating. Another strategy is to help the counterparty see that they risk being marginalized or sidelined if the counterparty refuses to cooperate. However, finding a win-win is always the better approach and outcome.



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    Mitch Winkler P.E.(inactive), M.ASCE
    Houston, TX
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  • 3.  RE: How can we diminish internal turf battles and the harm they cause?

    Posted 4 days ago

    Thanks, Mitch. Those are useful ideas.



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    William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
    ENGINEER
    Columbus MS
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