Conflict Management

Conflict Management

We can start managing conflict when we set up the Goals, the Roles, and the Interpersonal relationships


Goals:

• Clarity about the main purpose of the team


• Agreement on the desired results


• Understanding of the main tasks


• Clarity of priorities and deadlines

• Understanding of boundaries

Roles:

• Acceptance of a team leader

• Understand all members’ roles

• Individual responsibilities


• Shared responsibilities


• Clear boundaries


Process

• Team processes


o How decisions are made


o How the team solves problems and resolves conflict


o Communication


• Work processes


o Procedures


o Work flow

Interpersonal relationships

• Relating with the other team members


• Trust


• Sensitivity and flexibility with each other


• Good communication


• Collaboration in problem solving

There are different reactions to conflict depending on each personality and the environment

* Those who avoid conflict; denial is never a good way to resolve any conflict, since it is just a way to hide and not facing. Communication is important and sometimes you need to be really sharp and sensitive, observe your teamwork.

* Competing: means domination, and therefore another way to make conflict management another issue itself.

* Accommodation, means the member is going to be less committed and involved since feeling left behind leads to isolation

* Collaboration, having team members ready to collaborate always empowers effectiveness, since they are willing to get involved in conflict as much as in work and achievements.

* Compromising, once a member feels part of the team and understand its role and value, making him aware of the conflict relevance is easier so that he can commit to help resolving it.