Conflicts & stress. Challenges and opportunities for Austrian companies.
- Jürgen Dostal
- May 11
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
How much do we like to argue? When does one speak of a conflict? You'll learn how conflict, stress, and health are connected and what opportunities this offers companies in "ZEITAUSGLEICH," the current podcast episode from karriere.at , the podcast about the world of work.
This episode delves into conflict and stress in everyday work and explores how companies can leverage these challenges for positive outcomes. Conflicts often arise from differing opinions and working practices, and when addressed constructively, they offer opportunities for innovation and creativity. Leaders are critical to successful conflict management, which prevents unresolved tensions from leading to health consequences or a loss of motivation.

"If conflicts aren't resolved and energy builds up, it remains stored in the body. In the long run, this leads to tension, fatigue, and psychological stress, which are often difficult to relieve."
"A lack of conflict leads to a lack of commitment, and a lack of commitment leads to a lack of responsibility. And without responsibility, the results are not right—the company's goal is not met."
Effective conflict management not only strengthens the working atmosphere but also the personal resilience of employees. Through open communication and regular feedback, companies can create an environment in which conflicts are perceived as normal and even valuable. Moderated by Georg Konjovic , CEO of karriere.at , panelists Stefanie Stebegg (health and nutrition expert) and Jürgen Dostal (mediator and conflict expert) emphasized that active listening is a key skill: It shows employees that their perspectives are important and promotes trust.

"Conflicts are the basis for something new. You can decide whether to let them create something negative or whether they offer potential for innovation."
"Every manager has the responsibility to identify conflicts within teams. It's not just about sales targets, but also about the health and well-being of employees. Anyone who says there's no time for that isn't fulfilling their role as a manager."
Managers should identify conflicts early and ensure that all team members receive adequate support. Workplace stress, if it builds up over a long period of time, can trigger serious health problems. Therefore, it's important to address it early.
The role of stress as both a motivator and a risk factor appears particularly important. While stress can lead to increased performance and commitment in appropriate amounts, excessive levels pose risks to mental and physical health. Companies benefit from teaching employees how to properly manage stress and providing stress management tools, for example, through training, mentoring, and targeted health programs.
Overall, this podcast episode presents a holistic concept of how conflict and stress in everyday business life can be managed in order to promote a healthy, productive work environment.
Watch the full podcast episode of ZEITAUSGLEICH now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F2pPiMkFHk&list=PLJmK8pSRnEZ5A8wTUPnjUBHc29NvzTaUZ
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