What do you do if tensions are rising within your volunteer team?

2 Open Dialogue

Once issues are out in the open, encourage a dialogue among team members. This step involves facilitating a discussion that allows everyone to share their perspectives and feelings about the situation. It's important to establish ground rules for respectful communication to prevent the discussion from becoming counterproductive. Remind your team of the common goal that brought you together and the importance of working collaboratively. Open dialogue can lead to a deeper understanding between team members and pave the way for mutual respect.

3 Identify Causes

Identifying the root causes of tension is critical to finding a lasting solution. Often, conflicts arise from misunderstandings, miscommunications, or differing expectations. Take the time to delve into the specifics of what's causing the discord. Ask probing questions and encourage team members to reflect on how their actions or words might have contributed to the tension. Understanding the underlying issues will help the team focus on constructive changes rather than placing blame.

4 Propose Solutions

With a clear understanding of the causes, work together to propose solutions. This collaborative effort should involve all team members, as collective problem-solving fosters a sense of ownership and commitment to the resolution. Encourage creative thinking and be open to trying new approaches to how your team operates. Whether it's redefining roles, adjusting communication methods, or setting new guidelines for interaction, the solutions should aim to prevent similar tensions from arising in the future.

5 Implement Changes

After agreeing on solutions, it's time to put them into action. Implementation may require changes in behavior, processes, or even the structure of your volunteer team. It's important to have a plan that outlines who is responsible for what and by when these changes should take place. Monitor progress and be prepared to make adjustments as needed. Remember, change is a process, and patience is key as your team adapts to new ways of working together.

6 Reflect and Learn

Finally, reflection is a powerful tool for any volunteer team experiencing tension. After implementing changes and giving them some time to take effect, gather your team to reflect on what has been learned from the experience. Discuss what worked well and what didn't, and consider how you can apply these lessons to future challenges. Continuous learning and reflection not only help in resolving current conflicts but also strengthen the team's resilience and ability to handle future tensions.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?