It is Friday and time to take a look back at one of our more than 1100 blog posts. Yesterday I focused on matrix management in our weekly team building tip and I thought it would be useful to take a look back at one of our past posts on matrix management, namely - sources of conflict in matrix management teams. With the growth of more virtual teams being able to surface and address conflict in the virtual realm is becoming a well needed skill set. Many times conflict in the virtual domain is easy to ignore, but has the ultimate impact of lower productivity and results. Given the long distance relationship this can lead to significant fails and impact.
So how do we become more proactive in addressing conflict within virtual teams and the matrix management environment? We need to be aware of where conflict may stem from. Consider these sources which I initially mentioned in Teams365 # 601
"Matrix leadership and team arrangements are becoming much ore common place today. Once only relegated to project and global teams, matrix arrangements are much more common-place. It can be important to recognize acknowledge potential sources of conflict, so that you are aware of them and can mitigate.
Here's a list of potential sources of conflict in matrix teams include:
* Conflict between local level priorities and global or project priorities
* Conflict between direction and style of local leader and matrix leader
* Style conflict
* Potential conflict on multiple levels around communication styles - direct versus indirect communication - (refer to Geert Hofstede's Culture scales)
* Conflict created by working across multiple time zones which can impact meeting times, and perceived favoritism
* Conflict around resourcing (perceived and real)
* Conflict around team membership - my "local" team and my "project" team
* Conflict around team culture - how things are done on different teams and what's acceptable and not
These are just a small representation of potential conflicts created in the matrix environment. What is important is to equip team members with enhanced skills in working across differences and recognizing your impact with others.
What do you see as possible conflicts which could emerge in your matrix work?"
If you are a matrix manager this week take the opportunity to discuss with your team members in their one on ones where potential conflicts exist, or could exist, and how together you want to resolve them.
Have a great Thursday,
Jennifer
So how do we become more proactive in addressing conflict within virtual teams and the matrix management environment? We need to be aware of where conflict may stem from. Consider these sources which I initially mentioned in Teams365 # 601
"Matrix leadership and team arrangements are becoming much ore common place today. Once only relegated to project and global teams, matrix arrangements are much more common-place. It can be important to recognize acknowledge potential sources of conflict, so that you are aware of them and can mitigate.
Here's a list of potential sources of conflict in matrix teams include:
* Conflict between local level priorities and global or project priorities
* Conflict between direction and style of local leader and matrix leader
* Style conflict
* Potential conflict on multiple levels around communication styles - direct versus indirect communication - (refer to Geert Hofstede's Culture scales)
* Conflict created by working across multiple time zones which can impact meeting times, and perceived favoritism
* Conflict around resourcing (perceived and real)
* Conflict around team membership - my "local" team and my "project" team
* Conflict around team culture - how things are done on different teams and what's acceptable and not
These are just a small representation of potential conflicts created in the matrix environment. What is important is to equip team members with enhanced skills in working across differences and recognizing your impact with others.
What do you see as possible conflicts which could emerge in your matrix work?"
If you are a matrix manager this week take the opportunity to discuss with your team members in their one on ones where potential conflicts exist, or could exist, and how together you want to resolve them.
Have a great Thursday,
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders
Follow us on Twitter @Teams365
(416)996-8326
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders
Follow us on Twitter @Teams365
(416)996-8326
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