Team Conflict

Identification

When we think of conflict, we most often think about arguing or fighting. Although conflict is usually seen as having a negative affect on a group, resolving these same conflicts will cause strength, growth, and unity allowing the team to become more effective in the long run. Groups must be willing and able to face conflicts and deal with them appropriately. As long as a team can identify key conflicts early on, they can avoid some common pitfalls in discussion and conflicts can be resolved.

There are many different conflicts that come along with working in a team; when the first team conflict emerges, some or all of the members in the team begin to feel less motivated about the task and might even doubt that the team can pull together and achieve their objective.

Types/Styles

There are many conflicts in groups; a group may experience different views on factors such as direction, leadership roles, communication barriers, and world views.

Individuals within the group may feel the direction the team is moving may not be as effective as it would be if there ideas were utilized. Direction stems from team leaders encompassing all group member's ideas and opinions and assessing the most effective route for task accomplishment. These leadership roles should be changed regularly within the team in order to promote and encourage one another's growth as individual leaders. In doing so, the team will become well rounded and strengthen due to the experiences each individual undergoes. Communication plays a vital role when a change of leadership takes place. Communication breakdown can easily take place when inexperienced members of the team assume a leadership role. Communication between team members and respect for one another can minimize this breakdown. It will also allow the inexperienced member to gain confidence from group support. Each team member maintains their own personal world view and innately makes decisions accordingly. Team conflicts may arise due to a difference in world views. Combining leadership roles, and communication