Stereotyping and boxing in can lend itself to enabling toxic working environments where there is a limited sense of belonging, and where unacceptable behaviours can flourish.
Navigating conflict and valuing difference with TetraMap
Written By Kelsey Paske, KP Consulting, Australia
As an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion practitioner with a focus on preventing bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct, I’ve encountered plenty of workplace conflicts and examples of toxic environments where behavioural standards do not line up with organisational values. In these circumstances, it was often my role to provide strategic advice and support when things got really bad.
My main focus has always been on prevention: how do we stop these behaviours before they start?
An important first step is to recognise that these behaviours exist on a continuum. That’s why my interest was piqued when colleagues at a former workplace started to talk about TetraMap. I’d heard it being described as a simple and effective tool that celebrates differences, and that can be used to prevent workplace conflict and help people build better relationships.
I was sceptical at first, as what I had encountered or heard of through other programmes was the tendency to ‘other’, or stereotype individuals through their personality traits, leadership or communication styles. While it may not be the intention of the program, the outcome was that either the content or delivery could serve to reinforce difference and harmful stereotypes, rather than harness the power of difference. What I found with TetraMap however, is that it doesn’t box people into categories. Instead it celebrates difference and recognises that all four elements – Earth, Air, Water and Fire – are needed at different times in order to build successful teams, and more meaningful relationships in general.
“Your first and foremost job as a leader is to take charge of your own energy and then help orchestrate the energies of those around you.”
Peter Drucker
What inspires me the most about TetraMap, is its simplicity and commitment to positive psychology. It uses the metaphor of nature in an accessible and safe way to more deeply understand ourselves and those around us. The language is simple but carefully selected. It focuses on individual and team elemental preferences, and recognises that at any given point in our lives we may have different and ever-changing preferences. The reference to the tetrahedron focused on how we could, as Peter Drucker suggests, orchestrate the various interdependent energies in our teams to not only foster a sense of inclusion and purpose but to achieve our overall goals.
I see TetraMap as a powerful tool for engaging in early intervention and preventing a toxic work environment. It can also be used to reduce tension at home, and to strengthen relationships outside of work.
TetraMap does this by promoting better self-awareness and encouraging individuals to rethink how their unique elemental preferences can strengthen their relationships with others.