EFFECTIVE CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND TEAMWORK SKILLS

1. TEAMWORK SKILLS: SIX STEPS TO EFFECTIVE CONFLICT RESOLUTION

How can we get our teams to work together more effectively? Let’s face it, not everyone is going to
get along with everyone else. That would be too easy.
Let’s start with a simple question – Is conflict good or bad? The reality is that conflict can be both
good and bad. If the conflict is about solving a challenge and two people disagree on the process, that
is good conflict because, more than likely, they will resolve the issue by using input from both parties.
Now, if the conflict becomes personal, then it is bad for everyone involved and even sometimes for
those on the side-lines, as well.
So, regardless of the type of conflict, effective resolution is a set of teamwork skills that every team
needs to understand.

Here is a simple, six-step approach to reaching conflict resolution:

1. Get everyone to agree that a problem exists: A classic example; no one wants to talk about the
elephant in the room.
Get it out in the open and get agreement that there is a problem.
2. Brainstorm potential solutions: This is critical and everyone involved with the problem needs
to be involved.
Remember, it is a brainstorming session and not a problem-solving session.
3. Discuss all of the solutions and come to a mutual agreement: After the brainstorming session, let
ideas settle for a little while and then gather everyone together to discuss solutions and come to an
agreement on the next process, then set an agreement in place.
4. Expect cooperation from everyone and share these expectations: This stage is one that many
dismiss – by getting everyone to share his / her expectations they are, in effect, gaining mutual buy-in
and creating mutual accountability.
5. Sign the agreement discussed in step four: The buy-in gets deeper when all parties sign the
agreement.
6. Have a systematic follow through plan in place. If you are not tracking progress, how will you know
if the plan you put into place is indeed working? This allows you to provide appropriate feedback to
everyone along the way.

 When you follow a plan, you increase the likelihood of resolving conflict in a win/win scenario
that helps everyone.
 Think of it this way: would you begin to take a road trip to a new destination you have never
been without a set of directions or a GPS? Think of these six steps as your GPS towards
conflict resolution
4 Types of Team Conflict and How To
Resolve Each Effectively
Conflicts are a natural part of life, both in our personal lives and in the
workplace. Workplace conflicts occur because team members don’t
always agree or know how to work together despite their differences.
These differences could be in the way they manage their tasks, their
work styles or personalities.
For a team to work together effectively, conflicts need to be resolved
in a timely and professional manner that minimizes disruption to
productivity. The ability to resolve team conflicts is crucial to the
success of any organization.

What is team conflict?

Team conflicts arise when there are disagreements over the goals, methods or needs of
the team. Conflicts can also occur when there are differing personalities. At first, these
conflicts may seem commonplace, but failing to resolve them could hurt productivity and
overall morale. When conflicts between team members arise, addressing these
disagreements and coming to a mutual understanding allows everyone to collaborate
harmoniously and productively.

Conflict resolution is a valuable leadership skill to have. Individuals

with the ability to recognize conflicts, acknowledge differences and
find quick and peaceful resolutions are essential to any organization

Why is conflict resolution important?

Conflict resolution is important for the success of any team. Leaving a conflict
unresolved can negatively impact morale and productivity, resulting in a tense and
uncomfortable work environment for all. Resolving conflicts in the workplace allows
teams to trust each other and work better together to achieve their goals. Conflict
resolution allows team members to understand each other better and create smoother
working relationships in the future.
4 types of team conflicts

1. Task-based conflicts

Task-based conflicts occur in situations when team members rely on each other to
complete a task or project. When one person on the team doesn’t complete their part of
the task, it can affect another team member’s ability to finish their part on time. For
example, if an employee always turns in their reports late, it causes the accountant to
be late with their reports as well. To avoid these conflicts, make sure everyone on the
team knows what they should be doing in their position so tasks can be accomplished
efficiently and on deadline.

2. Leadership conflicts

Some conflicts occur because of differences in leadership styles. Everyone has their
own way of leading their team. Some leaders are directive, while others are more open,
inclusive and encourage collaboration with their team. To prevent leadership style
conflicts, it’s important to recognize and appreciate these differences throughout the
team. If you’re in a management role, you should be aware of your own leadership style
and how you interact with your team. It may be necessary to make adjustments to your
leadership style to accommodate the different needs and personalities of your team
members.

3. Work style conflicts

Just as there are differences in leadership styles, there are differences in work styles as
well. Work style conflicts occur because team members have different preferences on
how to accomplish tasks. Some work quickly and move on to the next task as soon as
possible, while others prefer to complete tasks slowly and mindfully. Some people are
self-starters who require little to no direction to finish a task, and others need guidance
every step of the way. The best way to avoid these types of conflicts is to recognize that
everyone’s work style is different and find ways to collaborate to achieve the same goal
despite those differences.

4. Personality clashes

Personality clashes are some of the most common types of team conflicts. These types
of conflicts are caused by differences in personality among team members. You’re not
always going to get along with or like every person you meet, whether they’re your
coworker, supervisor or peer. It can be challenging to work with someone whose
personality disagrees with your own. However, it’s important to try to understand their
differences and learn how to work together peacefully and productively.
How to resolve team conflicts

Many conflicts at work are caused by misunderstandings and a lack of communication

among team members. However, when these conflicts are resolved properly, team
members can develop better working relationships and are more productive as a result.
Here are some productive steps to take to resolve workplace conflicts:

Stay calm

When a conflict arises, it’s important to stay calm and professional. Take several deep
breaths and clear your mind before attempting to address the conflict. Come up with a
plan to resolve the conflict before tension grows and things worsen.

Acknowledge the conflict and find a resolution

Part of conflict resolution includes acknowledging there’s a problem in the first place.
Once the conflict has been recognized, everyone involved needs to agree on reaching a
resolution. Try to see the conflict from the viewpoint of your other team members and
focus on the things you can agree on. This will help you better understand what they
feel and how they think and allow you to come to a resolution togethe

Involve leadership or HR

In some cases, you may need to involve your HR department or a supervisor if a

conflict can’t be resolved, whether it’s because someone is failing to cooperate or
something much more serious, such as harassment or discrimination.