You have come to this article with a purpose.
You want to learn ways to handle conflicts that may arise in your team effectively.
And it is that this type of conflicts, in the end, are inevitable, but they do not have to end with the structure of the company.
Thanks to good conflict management it is possible to improve communication, productivity and the work environment.
But, of course, how do you get it?
Stay to discover different tips and strategies that will allow you to manage conflicts in your team and prevent them in the future.
Perhaps, in the past, companies did not pay much attention to conflicts within a team.
They were “things that happened” and he let himself run while it would not affect the way he worked.
But the reality is that it is essential to manage conflicts in a team, since, if these are not resolved properly, they can affect the productivity and performance of the team in general.
They can also be responsible for generating a toxic and demotivating work environment… And we all know what this leads to: loss of talent and employee turnover.
Whereas, if conflicts are handled effectively, it is possible to improve communication, collaboration and creativity in the team.
Why? Because they are able to generate new ideas and perspectives… as long as they are resolved properly.
Identification of conflicts
Before you can handle conflicts in a team, it’s important that you are able to identify them.
Here are some of the most common types of conflicts that can arise in a team:
- Personality
- Interests
- Resource
- Roles
- Of values
Let’s look at them one by one.
Personality conflicts
This type of conflict occurs when two or more team members have different personalities that can clash with each other.
It may be that one team member is more introverted and another more extroverted, which can lead to communication and teamwork conflicts.
Conflicts of interest
When two or more team members have different goals or interests… We are facing a problem, because this type of conflict can be triggered.
For example, imagine that one team member may want to complete a task quickly, while another member wants to take more time to make sure they get it right.
Friction is inevitable if an early resolution is not reached.
Resource conflicts
Are your employees competing for the same resources?
No matter if it’s time, budget, physical space, or other, sparks can fly at any time.
Role conflicts
Sometimes it happens.
If there is ambiguity or overlap in the roles and responsibilities of team members, these types of conflicts can result.
Just imagine that one person feels that another is invading their area of responsibility… Rome can burn.
Value conflicts
This is quite common, although it may not seem like it.
Each person is different and it is very likely that each one has different values or beliefs that may conflict.
And to avoid this and the rest, you need to know some of the strategies that exist.
Scope.
Strategies for managing conflict in a team
When you’re clear about the conflict that’s brewing in your team, it’s time to know how to handle it.
There are many strategies you can use, but we leave you some that, perhaps, interest you:
- Encourage communication
- Practice empathy
- Negotiate
- Using mediation
Do you stay to know them all?
Encourage communication
Communication is key in conflict resolution.
It is important that team members are able to express their opinions and feelings clearly and respectfully so that everyone sees that they are heard.
Make sure there are open communication spaces where team members can talk about their concerns and points of view.
If team members aren’t comfortable talking in a group setting, consider offering one-on-one feedback sessions, you’ll be surprised how well they work.
Practice empathy
Try to put yourself in the shoes of the other team member and try to understand their perspective.
This will help you find a solution that is beneficial to both parties.
Not only you, as part of the mediation, but also by those affected. Working on empathy is crucial for good conflict resolution, as it reduces tensions and improves the relationship between team members.
Negotiate
This sounds very easy, but… Looking for a solution in which both parties feel comfortable is very helpful.
Instead of looking for a winner and a loser, look for a win-win solution.
Consider different solutions and try to find a solution that meets the needs of all team members.
Once you’ve found a solution, make sure it’s implemented effectively and that everyone on the team is committed to it.
Using mediation
If conflicts are particularly difficult to resolve, you may consider using a professional mediator to assist in resolving them.
A mediator is a neutral person who can help facilitate communication and negotiation between team members and who can make your life much easier in those moments.
How to prevent conflicts in teams
Learning to manage conflict is great, but if you can prevent them you will save yourself more than one upset.
Therefore, we recommend some strategies so you can avoid them from the beginning:
- Fostering collaboration
- Set clear expectations
- Promote joint problem solving
- Perform a team building
We explain them to you below
Fostering collaboration
Encouraging collaboration among team members can help prevent conflict.
Because, among other things, collaboration can improve communication, reduce stress and improve productivity.
Make sure team members have the opportunity to work together and feel comfortable sharing their ideas and perspectives.
Set clear expectations
(And doing it early on) can help prevent conflict in the future.
Make sure team members understand what their roles and responsibilities are, and what is expected of them.
This can help reduce ambiguity and prevent conflicts arising from a lack of clarity.
Promote joint problem solving
Encourage team members to work together to find creative and effective solutions.
Solving problems together can improve collaboration and communication in the team much more effectively than you can imagine.
Perform a team building
But best of all, these types of activities can be united into one: team building.
Doing it with external professionals avoids feeling like the instructor and intermediary, becoming part of the team and being seen as one of it.
If you want more information about this service, click here and we tell you everything.