Conflict is an unavoidable reality of teamwork. Conflict may arise do to clashing personalities, disagreements about strategy, or stress. But, conflict is not always bad. In fact, when dealt with and handled, it can lead to positive change and stronger teams. The key lies in how the team lead or manager navigates these tricky situations. Their approach sets the tone for the entire team, shaping how conflict is perceived and resolved. Then, it's up to the team to work together to resolve it and return to a good level of performance. The team may even reflect on the lesson learned and be able to grow.
Read this article: 7 Workplace Conflict Examples (Plus How to Handle Each One).
3-4pg addressing the following questions:
From the article, describe one reason a team conflict may arise.
How can conflict affect a team's ability to meet deadlines or achieve their goals?
What are some of the specific methods that you would use to resolve a conflict?
What can a team learn from a conflict?
Methods for Resolving Conflict
To resolve a conflict, a manager or team lead should use a multi-step approach that prioritizes open communication and a focus on the issue, not the personalities involved. Here are some specific methods:
Acknowledge the Conflict Early: Don't wait for the problem to fester. As soon as you recognize a conflict, address it directly and calmly. This prevents it from escalating and impacting the entire team.
Facilitate a Structured Conversation: Meet with all parties involved, either together or individually, to understand each person's perspective. Set ground rules for the discussion, such as using "I statements" to express feelings ("I feel frustrated when...") rather than "You statements" ("You are always..."). This encourages personal accountability and reduces defensiveness.
Focus on the Core Issue: Guide the discussion away from personal attacks and toward the specific problem. For a conflict over a marketing campaign, the issue isn't that one person is "bad," but that their approach to the campaign clashes with another's. By defining the problem clearly, the team can focus on finding a solution.
Brainstorm Solutions Together: Once the core issue is identified, work with the team to brainstorm possible solutions. Encourage a collaborative approach where everyone has a voice. This gives the team a sense of ownership over the resolution and increases the likelihood that they will commit to the plan.
Find Common Ground: Help the team identify shared values or goals. For instance, two team members with clashing work styles likely share the common goal of a successful project. By reminding them of this shared objective, you can shift their perspective from competition to collaboration.
What a Team Can Learn from Conflict
When managed effectively, conflict can be a powerful catalyst for team growth and positive change. A team can learn several valuable lessons from a conflict:
Improved Communication Skills: Navigating a conflict requires team members to practice active listening, empathy, and clear, assertive communication. These are essential skills that can be applied to future interactions, making the team stronger and more resilient.
Deeper Understanding of Teammates: Conflict can expose underlying motivations, values, and work styles that might not be visible during normal operations. By working through the issue, team members gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for their colleagues' perspectives, fostering greater trust and respect.
Enhanced Problem-Solving Abilities: A team that successfully navigates a conflict learns how to confront challenges directly and collaboratively. This experience builds confidence in their collective problem-solving ability, preparing them to tackle more complex issues in the future.
Strengthened Team Cohesion: Successfully overcoming a conflict can lead to a more cohesive and resilient team. When a team works through a difficult situation together, they build a sense of shared accomplishment and trust. They learn that their relationships can withstand disagreement and that they are capable of achieving a win-win resolution. Conflict, when handled well, transforms from a divisive force into a unifying one.
Sample Answer
One common reason a team conflict may arise is clashing work styles. When team members have different approaches to how they complete tasks, it can lead to frustration and misunderstandings. For example, a team member who prefers to brainstorm and collaborate constantly may clash with a colleague who prefers to work independently and quietly on a project. Each individual's method seems right to them, but the difference in approach can cause friction and lead to accusations of being uncooperative or inefficient.
How Conflict Affects Team Performance
Conflict can significantly hinder a team's ability to meet deadlines and achieve goals by disrupting focus and communication. When a team is embroiled in conflict, members often shift their energy from productive work to managing the tension. This can lead to decreased morale, which affects motivation and productivity. For instance, an unresolved conflict over project management methodology can lead to team members working in silos, duplicating efforts, or missing key steps, all of which directly impact the project timeline. Unaddressed conflict creates a negative atmosphere, eroding trust and making it difficult for the team to communicate openly. As a result, critical information may not be shared, and deadlines can be missed.