Team Dynamics

SETTLING THE SCORE : WAYS TO RESOLVE TEAM CONFLICT

Settling the Score : Ways to Resolve Team Conflict

Tiffany L . Willcox

University of Phoenix

GEN300

Mary McDonald

June 16 , 2008

Settling the Score : Ways to Resolve Team Conflict

Everyone , at one time or another , has been placed in a situation that has required them to work in a team setting . Individual experiences may vary from athletic , to career related , personal or academic . Whatever the case , there is one common thread that all teams or groups inevitably face - Conflict . Just as

there are many different causes of conflict there are as many ways to approach resolving issues . Whenever conflicts arise , it is critical that the members involved make a concerted effort to settle the score . Usually , conflict arises from the sense of diversity among team members . The eclectic mix of opinions and cultures are either brought against each other , or better yet develop into one integrated sense of unification among team members . The holistic mission and vision of the team will augment its sense of cooperation and will omit the unwanted diversity that hinders the team to complement each other , and will generate growth and progress while working as a unit

Working as a single cohesive unit will only be realized with the presence of a leader . A leader doesn 't need to be the most outstanding figure in the group . The most crucial role of a leader is he generates a sense of coherence among team members in to function as a single unit . A leader holds the band together , and makes them perceive the mission and vision in one synergetic perception . Furthermore , a leader should set an example so as to be the living embodiment of the mission and vision

However , conflicts are not resolved by having a team leader alone Communication among team members helps patch things up in address problems concerning interpersonal relationships (Jeffries , 2008 . Weekly meetings can aid teams in generating healthy relationships with each other . Large companies like General Electric initiate weekly work-out ' meetings wherein managers meet their subordinates to resolve conflicts

Identifying the Problem

In to ascertain a problem , team members are needed to give their opinions on how the problem affects the team as a whole . According to Temme and Katzal , authors of Calling a team a team doesn 't mean that it is : successful teamwork must be a way of life , one of the most common mistakes that a team tends to make is , allowing one member of the team to define the issues the great has (Temme and Katzal 1995 ,

.p112 ) They suggest that the team be involved in every aspect of decision making with regards to the goals of the team

Knowing the issue is such a key thing in resolving issues . I am sure that many would agree that , once you have identified they problem , half of the battle is won , especially , when all of the team has placed an individual interest in determining the issue . In...