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Quote of the month: "Problems are only opportunities in work clothes"
Henry J. Kaiser
How to Deal With Conflict
Source: Communication
Briefings ideas that work
To handle conflict among team members:
- Ask those who disagree to paraphrase one another’s comments. This
may help them learn if they really understand one another.
- Work out a compromise. Agree on the underlying source of conflict,
then engage in give-and-take and finally agree on a solution.
- Ask each member to list what the other side should do. Exchange lists,
select a compromise all are willing to accept and test the compromise
to see if it meshes with team goals.
- Have the sides each write 10 questions for their opponents. This will
allow them to signal their major concerns about the other side’s position.
And the answer may lead to a compromise.
- Convince team members they sometimes have to admit they’re wrong.
Help them save face by convincing them that changing a position may
well show strength.
- Respect the experts on the team. Give their opinions more weight when
the conflict involves their expertise, but don’t rule out conflicting
opinions.
Source: Making Teams Succeed at Work, Alexander Hamilton
Institute, 70 Hilltop Road, Ramsey, NJ 07446
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