COMMUNICATION

SKILLS
MUTL 101
GROUP 7 PRESENTATION
LEVEL 1.1
GROUP MEMBERS :
TADIWANASHE MWETA C
M241089F
TAKUDZWA MADEWEKUNZE E
M241035H
PANASHE NYIKA H
M241036Z
PANASHE ZINGORE P
M241121K
BRIAN NYAMUTSWA
M241115X
 PRESENTATION BY

TADIWANASHE MWETA

Causes of conflicts in teams

Introduction
• Conflict is basically any situation where there is a
disagreement or difference of opinion between two or
more people.
• This could lead to negative outcomes , like stress,
decreased productivity and damaged relationships.
• So when it comes to teams , it is very important to
know and understand the causes of conflict so that
they could either be avoided or resolved as quickly as
possible.
1. Lack of communication

• It refers to the insufficient or ineffective exchange of

information, ideas and feedback within a team.
• This leads to misunderstandings arising incomplete
information, assumptions and very poor feedback by
team members.
• Hence good leadership and better communication
systems should be established
2.Differences in goals and objectives

• Conflicts within teams can often arise due to differences in goals and
objectives among team members. These disparities can lead to
misunderstandings, disagreements, and challenges in working
together effectively. Here are some key reasons why conflicts may
occur in teams when priorities and goals differ.
• Task interdependence occurs when the successful completion of one
task is reliant on the contributions of others. In team settings, if
members have varying priorities or approaches to their tasks, it can
lead to conflicts when coordination and collaboration are necessary
for achieving shared objectives.
3.Personality clashes
• Personality clashes can be a significant cause of conflict within teams.
When team members have different personalities, work styles,
attitudes, or backgrounds, it can lead to misunderstandings,
disagreements, and tension. These clashes may arise due to various
factors such as differing work styles (e.g., fast-paced vs.
procrastinator), backgrounds (e.g., upbringing, gender, ethnicity),
attitudes towards work and people (positive vs. negative), and
approaches to collaboration (competitive vs. cooperative).
4.Role ambiguity
• Differences in Work Styles: Individuals with varying work styles, such as
some being fast-paced while others are more methodical, can lead to
conflicts over task completion and deadlines.

• Background Variances: Diverse backgrounds, including upbringing, cultural

differences, gender, and personal beliefs, can create misunderstandings and
disagreements among team members.

• Attitudes Towards Work and People: Varied attitudes, like being irritable or
positive, can impact team dynamics and communication, potentially
leading to conflicts.
5.Power struggles
• These are tensions that arise within a team due to
perceived inequalities or imbalance in authority and
control.
• These include hierarchy based struggles, competition
for recognition and influence based struggles.
• Addressing power struggles requires proactive
measures to promote fairness, transparency and
collaborating within teams.
6.Cultural differences
• People of different cultures have different
communication styles.
• Some cultures may be more direct and to the point
whilst others are indirect and use more polite
language.
• This could for sure lead to misunderstandings as one
may take another’s style the wrong way or as being
rude and disrespectful.
7.External factors
• These are influences or circumstances outside the immediate control
of the team or organization that impacts team operations and
performance .
• This could be organisational changes like restructuring, mergers or
leadership transitions ,market conditions like the economy itself or
global events like political instability, natural disasters or public health
crises.
• They lead to uncertainty and instability within the team which may
cause fear, anxiety or resistance among team members.
• Conflicts may also arise due to differing interpretations or responses
to these external challenges.
8.Scarce resources
• Limited assets or commodities within the team
• These could be time, a tight budget, equipment or
manpower
• This leads to competition and tension among team
members vying for those resources
•
9.Communication Breakdowns
• Miscommunication or lack of clarity in communication channels can
be a significant cause of conflict within teams. In virtual teams or
those with diverse cultural backgrounds, misunderstandings can
escalate due to differences in communication styles or
interpretations. Clear and effective communication is essential to
prevent conflicts stemming from misinterpretations.
10. Competition Over Resources
• Conflict often arises when there is competition over limited resources
such as information, funding, equipment, or access to technology. For
instance, if one team member consistently monopolizes shared
resources or infringes on others’ allocated time or space, it can lead
to resentment and conflict among team members.
Conclusion
References
1. Mary Scanell 2010,the big book of conflict games
2. Ahmed Adamu ISA, conflicts in organisations : causes and
consequences article, January 2015
3. Health Education article, January the workplace
4. (Tweet)6 common causes of workplace conflicts and how to avoid
them: Om Place 2019
5. 5(Blog-infoQ) Common causes of team conflict:Sativa Pahuja, jun 02
2014