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How to resolve a conflict in your team?

door | 1 mei 2024 | Geen categorie

Conflict teams

Everyone can be a mediator

 

There are hardly no teams free of conflicts. And that is not at all a bad sign. There is a saying that in teams with no conflict, people are whether to afraid to speak up, whether they have all the same minds and there is a lack in diversity.

Team diversity and differences of opinion about professional processes should be a source of excellence, quality an creativity … But [1] too much conflict (whether it is about the task or not) nor conflict experienced as threatening and unpleasant by teammembers damages relationships and undermines the effectiveness of teams.

But … everyone can be a mediator if all parties of the conflict want to work it out (!). The most important quality you have to bring (according to very experience meditators around the world) into the room is tranference positive energy that comes from compassion, empathy and sincere intentions. This is a innate quality and a learnable skill.

Let yourself be inspired by this Tedtalk by Dorothy Walker Ph.D. PMP to find out the three steps you can take to help to solve a conflict: whether it is in your team, between your kids or with a collaegue.

3 steps to take:

According to Dorothy Walker:

Be sure everyon is committed to resolve the conflict

  1. Prepare – set a future date and time so emotions can settle down a little and people are able to bring some positive energy to the table. Choose for a place where everyone involved feels comfortable and be sure everyone has a glass of cold water. Start with a 5 minutes meditation to eliminate outward distractions and awake positive intentions. 
  2. Diffuse & move forward – Listen with facination and with the intention to really understand. Ask neutral questions so emotions diffuse and give time to shift positive energy to the meeting.
  3. Make an agreement – agree on specific steps to be made and make sure there is nu misunderstanding about it.
  4. Schedule a future meeting – to check if agreements have been fulfilled

 

Are you working in a healthcare team (department of medical specialists or otherwise)? Maybe take a look at our accreditated teamwork trainings.

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