Team Dynamics: Conflict Resolution
When people form a group for any purpose, the dynamics of the group will sometimes cause conflicts. Opinions, personalities, and knowledge can all be the root cause of conflicts in a team. When team conflicts occur, proper resolution is the key to a successful team. Conflicts in groups can take place due to disagreements on the project being performed or by the relationships within the group that are being formed. (Dechurch, Hamilton & Hass, 2006). Conflict managers have training to handle the conflicts that can occur. Conflict manager may be a member of the team or may be a third party member hired specifically of conflict resolution. The main duty of a conflict manager is to resolve the group conflicts by the use of proven methods. There are three main steps in the resolution of conflicts: define the conflict, resolve the conflict, and prevention of the future conflicts.
Define the Conflict
The dictionary defines conflict as a “clash, competition, or mutual interference of opposing or incompatible forces or qualities (as ideas, interests, wills)” (Webster's Third New International Dictionary). When conflicts occur, the importance to understand the problem or clash among the team members is paramount. The 4Rs Method is an effective way to define the conflict. This method uses reason, reaction, results, and solutions to define the conflict. First, the conflict manager needs to find out the reason behind the conflict. The manager then needs to find out how the members of the group are reacting to the conflict and what negative results are occurring due to the conflict. Finally, the conflict manager needs to determine a solution to the conflict that will be acceptable to the team. The solution should reflect the views of all ...