Making the Team: A Guide for Managers

Conclusions

Conflict in teams is unavoidable. However, it does not have to result in decreased productivity. Managed effectively, conflict can be key to leveraging differences of interest to arrive at creative solutions. However, many people intuitively respond to conflict in a defensive fashion, and this emotional type of conflict can threaten productivity. To the greatest extent possible, team members should depersonalize conflict. We have presented a variety of ways to achieve this. We have also cautioned against using majority rule, splitting the difference, and strict agendas, which might stifle the opportunity for team win-win gains.

Box 7-6 Answers to Conflict Quiz False. By using coercion, rather than conciliatory strategies, you increase ...