The ability for a manager to effectively manage team conflict is one of the most difficult traits to build and take time for new managers to develop. All conflict has its causes and symptoms and a number of tools that managers can use to deal health or unhealthy team conflict.
The a team conflict is when members of a team get into a disagreement on any number of issues involving a cooperative project. Conflict symptoms can be any number of the following:
- Not completing work on-time or to quality goals
- Not responding to requests for information
- Hoarding of information or resources
- Absenteeism
- Complaining
- Verbal Abuse
- more…
A good manager will be able to notice these symptons, figure out the root causes and be able to effectively resolve the conflict. Addressing the team conflict problem can be done in five easy steps:
- Define the problem
- Gather the data
- Analyze the data
- Choose the best solution
- Implement the solution and continue to refine it
The solution to the conflict can be the hardest part but it is important as a manager to stand behind the solution. The confidence that a manager shows in all of their decisions are apparent to the team no matter if they are project related or not.
This white paper, produced by GlobalKnowledge, outlines in detail the symptoms and causes of team conflict. It also provides managers with the information on how to address a conflict and the tools to resolving the conflict.
