Dealing With Conflict

It is very important to a team to consider everyone when making a decision. Whether it be the practice times and routines or where a dinner will be held; it is crucial to make sure everyone can have their own input on the situation. However when a group of people work together there will most likely be a conflict. Sometimes it will be a minor issue but regardless of the severity of the issue, it must be worked out through to a conclusion or a compromise that all team members can accept, even thought everyone may not entirely agree there needs to be common ground on every issue.

Mutual respect among team members is necessary, but too much difference can bring upon new challenges and that can ultimately reduce the team as a whole. It is important to focus on the problem and how to solve it rather than on the person that is upset.

These are some good ideas on how to manage conflict among a team:

1. Avoid taking a win or lose stand: this will give one person the power at anothers expense. This approach is not constructive because there will always be a loser. Most conflicts wont start out this way but if a team member faces a personal defeat, then reaching a compromise is almost always impossible.
2. Avoid accusations, threats , or degrading comments. Instead try to emphasize common interests and mutual goals of the team.
3. Support your position with facts: Show how your position is consistent with accepted standards and pointing out the ways that your view could benefit the teams ultimate goal. Also point out errors in the other view, but make sure to talk about their position not the person.
4. Use bargaining strategies to arrive at an exchange of concessions until a compromise is reached. Both parties can win through a compromise, even if your going to settle for less your not losing altogether as you would in a win or lose situation. a successful compromise satisfies each persons minimum needs.