Conflict is a natural part of the team development process. What is problematic is when teams do not have the tools or skills to navigate and work through conflict. Teams which are coming together early on will try to figure out who they are as a collective. Jockeying around roles and power is common place. As team members start to feel into their roles both overt and covert conflict emerges.
Overt conflict are the visible tugs of war - the visible comments and arguments. Covert conflict is typically also present, and in fact is more insidious to a team. These are the side bar conversations, the water cooler talk, and the team toxic behaviors.
As a team leader it is important to acknowledge when conflict exists, and to have dialogue within the team about what acceptable behaviors are, and are not. Ensuring that team members have the skills and a framework to work with conflict it also part of what we want to create. What conflict management models are you using in your organization? What training already exists?
Two resources I often recommend in the leadership development training I lead are:
Have a Nice Conflict - Patterson, Scudder and Mitchell
Fierce Conversations - Susan Scott
Overt conflict are the visible tugs of war - the visible comments and arguments. Covert conflict is typically also present, and in fact is more insidious to a team. These are the side bar conversations, the water cooler talk, and the team toxic behaviors.
As a team leader it is important to acknowledge when conflict exists, and to have dialogue within the team about what acceptable behaviors are, and are not. Ensuring that team members have the skills and a framework to work with conflict it also part of what we want to create. What conflict management models are you using in your organization? What training already exists?
Two resources I often recommend in the leadership development training I lead are:
Have a Nice Conflict - Patterson, Scudder and Mitchell
Fierce Conversations - Susan Scott
Jennifer Britton, MES, PCC, CPT
Potentials Realized - Leadership and Team Development, Coaching, Retreats
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)
Email us to find out how we can support you and your team in enhancing your collaboration through coaching, training or a retreat program
Potentials Realized - Leadership and Team Development, Coaching, Retreats
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2010) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)
Email us to find out how we can support you and your team in enhancing your collaboration through coaching, training or a retreat program
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