Brief
Conflict resolution requires acknowledging emotions. asking key questions to determine the root cause and helping your team solve conflicts on their own, writes David Dye. “[F]or those situations where they can’t resolve the issue because the problem is a lack of clarity at a higher level, they will be able to figure that out and come to you with a solution request, rather than a more vague complaint,” he writes.
Insight
Handling team conflict well distinguishes outstanding leaders
You’ve got a clear focus on what matters most, your team seems to work well together, but then you get that call: “I need to talk to you about …” It’s conflict, a disagreement, or a clash of personalities. What you do next will reinforce your leadership and influence—or erode your credibility. Team conflict can feel like quicksand and a distraction from your work, but it’s an excellent opportunity to improve morale and productivity.
6 Ways to Deal with Team Conflict
1.Reflect to Connect
2.Gather Information with Three Quick Questions
3.Diagnose the Situation: Is this a vent or a problem that needs to be solved?
4.[For Problems] Discuss and Choose an Appropriate Solution
5.Schedule the Finish
6.Bonus: Equip Your Team to Resolve Conflict Together
Team Conflict is Unavoidable
Early in my career, my boss Jim, the Executive Vice President, took me to lunch at a popular spot for business meetings where the dining room was packed and bustling. Apparently, he’d seen me struggling with a common problem new leaders face and chose this lunch to deliver some coaching.
As we waited for our food to arrive, I got up to wash my hands. Jim stopped me for a moment and gave me an assignment: “Take the long way through the restaurant to and from the washroom. Walk slowly and catch the bits of conversation you hear.”
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