Resolving Conflict: Building a stronger team through mutuality

Disharmony within an organization poisons team effectiveness, reduces productivity and causes more lost effort than any other single source of employee dysfunction. The results are not readily apparent, because the actual impact is difficult to measure. Conflict between or among members of a team frequently spreads to others as attitudinal polarity causes co-workers to take sides. If not addressed, the result will be progressively detrimental.

As a leader, it is your responsibility to take positive action to eliminate the discord and to restore peace and interdependence. Consider these actions:

Address issues of harmony in general terms with your staff to help them understand the importance of working collegially in order to maximize productivity and related job satisfaction. Emphasize the potential personal and professional rewards. Use of a team-building tool may enhance your effort.

Discuss the specific circumstances with members of your team who ?appear? to be at odds with each other. Don?t be didactic, but stress the potential consequences. Take care not to express favor or partiality. Your role is not to be a judge, but rather a mediator.

If the situation cannot be resolved through your effort, it may be desirable to engage the services of a professional mediator, who has the training and skill necessary to address the issues and reach a consensus of understanding.

Occasionally, there is no way to resolve the difficulty without making changes within the organization. However, such action may be necessary for your team to progress and prosper. If you have followed the above actions, you have done all that is possible and logical.