• First Reference
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Free Coronavirus FAQ 🔬
  • Free Newsletter 📨
  • Get PolicyPro Free Trial 🎉

First Reference Talks

Discussions on Human Resources, Employment Law, Payroll and Internal Controls

  • Home
  • About
  • Archives
  • Resources
You are here: Home / Business / Workplace team conflict: Avoidance is an option, just not the best one

By Nikoleta & Associates | 2 Minutes Read September 15, 2014

Workplace team conflict: Avoidance is an option, just not the best one

Whether it be disagreement regarding how to approach a task, internal strife surrounding power dynamics, or simply mutual dislike, some form of conflict will arise in most teams. How effectively a team navigates conflict tends to distinguish the great teams from the average ones, yet many teams avoid addressing conflict, preferring to suppress it, rationalize it or complain about it elsewhere. As team effectiveness specialists and human beings working to increasingly understand our own selves, we have encountered our fair share of conflicts, both large scale and small. What follows are few insider tips:

Conflict is an opportunity

In work as in life, conflict is an opportunity to understand one another and move forward with more creativity, as well as an opportunity for personal growth and development. Importantly, it is also a litmus test that determines the strength and resilience of any relationship. A team that quickly resorts to name calling, back stabbing or quiet, seething rage and resentment during meetings reveals a core weakness, one that will likely derail any project. Therefore, in the face of conflict, develop a mindset of appreciation, gratitude and discovery. Recognize conflict as a tool your team can use to uncover unhealed wounds, foster growth, express appreciation and change ineffective behaviours.

No shame, no blame

Conflict does not mean anyone has done anything wrong. Shaming and blaming, while sometimes emotionally satisfying, tends to shut down both creative and critical thinking. When people feel targeted, fear and the desire for reprisal take over, which effectively signals the death of listening. During conflict, judgment will appear. Acknowledge your judgment of yourself and others, and then do not act from it. This opens the door to true communication – listening, and being heard. Often, when conflict is approached as an opportunity rather than an indication of wrongdoing, true growth and exciting innovation results.

You don’t have to like each other to work together

Our experience has shown that many teams harbor the deep and destructive misunderstanding that their members need to be personal friends in order to work together effectively. This could not be farther from the truth. Rather, it is possible to dislike a team member personally yet still complete tasks, solve problems and achieve goals. Drop the misconception that someone you work with regularly must also be someone you like or admire. Instead, simply treat team members with professional respect and courtesy. When and if your personal dislike arises, allow it to be there – do not allow it to interfere with the task at hand. This will not be comfortable; however, it will certainly mark the first step towards creating and maintaining a healthy team.

  • About
  • Latest Posts

Nikoleta & Associates

We’ve developed a series of offerings designed to build organizational capacity and trust, while promoting long-term, healthy growth–both financially and culturally.

Latest posts by Nikoleta & Associates (see all)

  • Lead from the front lines: The power of coaching in sales training engagements - November 18, 2014
  • How to fire an employee without crushing their soul - October 15, 2014
  • Workplace team conflict: Avoidance is an option, just not the best one - September 15, 2014

Article by Nikoleta & Associates / Business, Finance and Accounting, Payroll / Avoidance is an option, Conflict is an opportunity, disagreement regarding how to approach a task, How effectively a team navigates conflict, ineffective behaviours, internal strife surrounding power dynamics, many teams avoid addressing conflic, Recognize conflict as a tool, Team work, workplace conflict

Share with a friend or colleague

Learn the 10 essential HR policies in the time of COVID-19

Get the Latest Posts in your Inbox for Free!

About Nikoleta & Associates

We’ve developed a series of offerings designed to build organizational capacity and trust, while promoting long-term, healthy growth–both financially and culturally.

Footer

About us

Established in 1995, First Reference Inc. (known as La Référence in Quebec) provides Canadian organizations of any size with practical and authoritative resources to help ensure compliance.

First Reference Talks

  • Home
  • About
  • Archives
  • Resources

Main Menu

  • About First Reference
  • Resources
  • Contact us
  • 1 800 750 8175

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

We welcome your comments on our blog articles. However, we do not respond to specific legal questions in this space.
We do not provide any form of legal advice or legal opinion. Please consult a lawyer in your jurisdiction or try one of our products.


Copyright © 2009 - 2021 · First Reference Inc. · All Rights Reserved
Legal and Copyright Notices · Publisher's Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Accessibility Policy