Beneficial Workplace Conflicts

Jess Kutch gave a keynote on the benefits of productive conflict in the workplace. In 2013, Kutch was the cofounder of Coworker.org, which is a non-profit organization that empowers employees to engage in collective action to improve working environments.

Jess Kutch opens her keynote by stating that when she tells people she works to empower the labor movement, people are either uncomfortable, confused or excited. Kutch continues to state that discomfort is often a by-product of power being challenged. However, Kutch states we should not avoid this type of conflict.

Jess Kutch then talks about how productive conflict can benefit organizations, and how leaders in business should embrace this kind of conflict. This is because productive conflict arises when things are not working, and when there are no other ways forward. Unmet needs result in a need for the conflict to be addressed, as it often sheds light on an underlying problem.

Jess Kutch concludes her keynote by outlining the need for everyone to be involved in creating the future of work.