The Oxford Dictionary defines a team as “two or more people working together.” Ideally, your team should work together to achieve a common goal. And then go on to celebrate their wins and support each other’s growth. It would also be a huge bonus if they enjoy spending time together as co-workers… ideally.
In reality, that’s not really the case. The CPP Global Human Capital Report says “85% of employees at all levels report that they deal with conflict to some degree.” Not every team relationship is a harmonious working relationship. However, that is not always a bad thing. Conflict can fuel change and is even necessary for growth. The trick is to know how to manage conflict effectively. Here are examples of 3 common workplace conflicts and what team leaders should do about them:
They have different work styles
Some team members prefer to work quietly. Some may need white noise. Some people need time to think decisions through. Some are spontaneous and like to jump ahead then figure it out along the way. Some are silent in meetings and prefer to share their thoughts one on one, while some often chime in during meetings. Before working in teams, the team leaders should do a strengths assessment and a personality test in order to gauge who to put to work together. This will help team members collaborate easier.
The process isn’t working
Sometimes it’s not a personality clash that’s the culprit. It could be something in the process that isn’t working for your team. Some examples are: unbalanced workloads, system bottlenecks, or not getting the same information. These issues could cause conflict among team members and cause them to blame each other for logistical or procedural problems. Team leaders can address this by using the right tools. For example, set up one repository for managing and tracking projects and for keeping information. It also helps to get regular feedback so that the team leader is aware of roadblocks that have nothing to do with the team members.
They just don’t like each other
Let’s face it, team conflict can be as simple as teammates not liking each other. Team leaders can’t always expect that everyone will be best friends right away when put together on the same project. A team that runs like a well-oiled machine takes time to build. Teammates don’t have to be “a family” but they have to have a close enough relationship in order to resolve conflicts on their own. The team leader should first lead by example. There will be favorites, yes, but be fair and patient. This will set the example for the team to follow. Also, be clear about what you will and won’t tolerate. Don’t let toxic or discriminatory behavior continue, or it might cause teammates to feel attacked.
Got any tips on how to resolve conflict at the workplace? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!
Written by Jaie O. TheHelp