I don’t know about you but have you ever come across a team where there is perfect harmony and agreement all of the time?  Conflict on teams from time to time is unavoidable in my experience.

 

When thinking about conflict, it is useful to make a distinction between productive and unproductive conflict.  Productive conflict usually comes from a desire to move things forward.  Unproductive conflict by comparison is generally about stalling or preventing progress.

 

So if you are a team leader, how can you turn conflict into opportunity?

 

Set boundaries

 

Just like children, adults in the work place will try to push the boundaries at times.  If you are the leader make a point of setting boundaries around what is acceptable and unacceptable when it comes to dealing with tensions on the team.

 

Get people to actively listen

 

You might have heard the phrase that we have two ears and one mouth for a reason.  We are often much more interested in getting our point of view across rather than properly listening to others.  As the leader make a point of ensuring people pay attention and really actively listen to what others are saying.

 

Be the role model

 

As the leader you set the tone for the team.  If you show people through your behaviours and actions how to deal with conflict they will start to put some of that into practice.  Show people how to turn conflict into opportunity.

 

Teach people how to give constructive feedback

 

Picking holes in other folk’s ideas is easy to do but achieves very little.  While giving constructive feedback is more difficult it can really help to create new possibilities and options.  Invest the time in getting your team good at giving and receiving constructive feedback.

 

Bottom Line – You can’t eliminate conflict but you can use it in a way that it contributes to rather than hinders success.

 

 

 

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps accountants and health professionals to become highly effective leaders and managers and improve team working.  Find out more by clicking here

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