As the second-in-command of an organization, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for setting the tone in resolving conflicts between departments or teams. To effectively communicate and resolve disputes, COOs must take swift action and promote open dialogue. It is essential to identify the source of the problem and have honest conversations to find a solution. The COO is often referred to as the 'captain' of the organization, while the CEO is the 'head coach'.
This analogy helps to understand the role of a COO better. If you are looking to become a COO or hire one for your company, there are certain skills that you should be aware of. These include managing assets, investments, and industrial alliances; selecting, training, and developing new leaders; and dealing with purchase and sale of assets. When Larry Ellison, founder and CEO of Oracle, and its Chief Operating Officer, Ray Lane, had a disagreement in 2000, it highlighted the importance of having a strong COO in an organization.
A COO must be able to handle conflicts between departments or teams in an effective manner. Erin Wortham, former director of talent at Headspring, suggested that leaders should address conflicts quickly to maintain harmony in the workplace. Similarly, authors Cornelia Gamlem and Barbara Mitchell said that getting to the root of a problem involves honest conversations and a bit of detective work. To be successful in resolving conflicts, COOs must take prompt action when issues arise between members of their team.
They must accept the conflict and work towards resolving it by encouraging open dialogue and getting to the root of the problem. In addition to being able to handle conflicts between departments or teams, COOs must also be able to manage assets, investments, and industrial alliances; select, train, and develop new leaders; and deal with purchase and sale of assets. This requires strong leadership skills as well as excellent communication skills. The role of a COO is critical for any organization as they are responsible for setting the tone in resolving conflicts between departments or teams.
They must be able to take quick action and encourage open dialogue in order to get to the root of the problem and find a solution.
