Team Conflict - Is It Healthy?
Efficient and highly productive teams spend less time in conflict, but conflict is inevitable. Interpretations are made, gas tanks run low, and adjustments to the course are required. Conflict has a purpose and when left unaddressed, it erodes team culture over time.
As a leader, sometimes we need to have tough conversations with those we employ. For conflict to be healthy, the leader must create a strong foundation of character. Conflict is best caught early. After all, team members and leaders are less productive and efficient under stress and that's exactly what conflict creates.
What creates the foundation for healthy conflict?
Openness
As leaders we need to be human and admit our weaknesses as we forge our team relationships. Great leaders listen to their team members empathetically. Perhaps they have a valid point that has created the conflict. Often team members have the ability to create the clarity we need to move our businesses forward. First, we must be open to suggestion and a better way. Once we understand their point of view, we can respond with less emotion.
Solutions
As leaders, are we looking for a solution to the conflict or do we want to be right? Often changes need to be made, that's why the conflict was created in the first place. Perhaps it's time to revisit expectations, systems or the core values of the business. Seek a win/win solution that benefits the team and the team members if at all possible. A solution everybody feels good about eliminates the conflict in a very anabolic way.
Trust
Before healthy conflict can exist, trust is essential. Do the team members trust the character of their leader? As leaders are we setting an admirable example? Do we walk the talk? Team members are paying attention to every move we make. Great leaders lead by presence over position. It's the character of the man or woman that creates a great degree of trust.
Grace=Truth
As a Christian man I believe in a delicate mixture of grace and truth. Grace in leadership means assuming the best in others, forgiving honest mistakes quickly, and being compassionate when our team members are down or off. Truth means that we'll have the tough conversations we feel are best for the team members and the integrity of the team. Always in a respectful way.
If we don't address conflict and continually sweep it under the rug, it will impact the business, the relationships, and the stress often ends up at home.
Hey, I admit that I'm still working on conflict myself. It often feels worse than it really is once you have a meaningful conversation.
Result
Healthy conflict forges more trust, creates solutions that engenders growth, and puts the team back into an anabolic state where flow can exist and synergy can be enjoyed once again.