Conflict Management  

Team leaders must stay attuned to the evolving network of relationships that make up teams. It is inevitable that teams will experience their share of tension as relationships are tested by factors like turn over, new hires, external demands, internal disputes, production changes, etc.  It is important then that leaders stay sensitive to team dynamics and manage conflicts before they escalate.

Managing conflict takes considerable diligence and skill.  Below are seven tactics that may help:

1.    Continuously ask yourself if the status quo is meeting team demands

2.    Be willing to renegotiate team roles to fit needs and address issues

3.    Don’t hesitate to recognize conflict

4.    Check out your assumptions before taking action

5.    Regularly check with team members to assess team participation

6.    Continually work to keep communication channels open

7.    Reaffirm team roles to keep them clear and recognizable