What do you do if your team is divided and you need to make an informed decision as a leader?

When facing a divided team, listening actively is key. Hear out all perspectives without bias. Encourage open dialogue to understand underlying issues. Act decisively but inclusively, considering diverse viewpoints. Foster unity through transparent communication and collective problem-solving.

If your team is divided the most important thing to do is create an environment for open dialogue. By fostering an environment where everyone feels heard, you not only gain an understanding of each perspective but help your team do the same-- even if they disagree. Based on the conversation, you may be able to compromise between the conflicting viewpoints, or you may form a strong opinion yourself. Whatever you decide, continue the culture of open dialogue by being transparent about: 1) Why you made the decision you made 2) What considerations you are keeping in mind as you move forward 3) Why it's the right decision for your team

When there's division on your team, the last thing you want to do is bulldoze a decision through. As a leader, you've got to hit pause and really listen to all the different perspectives, give everyone the chance to voice their opinions and concerns, ask questions, dig deeper to understand where people are coming from. Active listening shows you respect your team and want to make the most informed choice possible, even if it's tough.

Gather Information: Start by gathering all relevant information related to the issue at hand. Ensure you have a thorough understanding of the facts, data, and perspectives involved. Consult with stakeholders, conduct research, and seek input from team members.

As a leader, it's tempting to take sides or go with your gut, but that rarely brings people together. Instead, take a real hard look at the situation from all angles, get perspectives from every camp, and genuinely try to understand where each group is coming from - no judgment, no picking favorites. Look at all the facts, figures, and potential impacts with fresh eyes like you're an outsider, shake off any personal leanings or "you scratch my back" politics that could cloud your thinking. With honest objectivity, you can fairly weigh the pros and cons without getting bogged down in office drama and that evenhanded approach will show your team you're not just backing your buddies, but driving toward the best solution.

When your team is split, the best thing you can do as a leader is open up the conversation. Get everyone in the same room and encourage an honest, respectful dialogue where all voices can be heard, make it clear you're not looking to take sides, but really understand what's driving the different viewpoints. Ask questions, let people expand on their thinking, and listen with an open mind, the goal isn't necessarily to resolve every disagreement, but to build mutual understanding. With all perspectives out on the table, the path towards an informed decision will become much clearer and by modeling open communication, you'll help unite the team by showing that differing opinions are valued.

As a leader faced with a divided team, building consensus is key for an informed decision. Gather everyone's perspectives and motivations to understand the root issues, look for common ground and areas of alignment that can form the basis of a unified path forward, don't discount dissenting views either – there may be valid concerns to incorporate. With open communication and an impartial mindset, you can craft a solution that brings people together rather than pushes them apart, an environment of mutual respect and buy-in from all sides is what breeds committed execution.

When your team is split down the middle and you need to make a tough call as the leader, you gotta step up and "Make the Call." Get all the facts, hear everyone out, but then trust your gut and make that decision. Dithering or letting the infighting drag on won't help anyone. Decide, lay it out straight, and get everyone marching in the same direction again. That's what leadership is all about - pointing the way when folks can't agree on which path to take.

Share a Personal Story of Overcoming Team Disagreements People connect with stories. Share a real-life anecdote from your own experience where you led a team through a period of disagreement. * Describe the situation and the different viewpoints that emerged. * Talk about the challenges you faced in reaching a decision. * Explain what helped you bridge the divide and move forward (e.g., a specific technique you used, a turning point in the conversation, or an unexpected source of inspiration). By sharing your personal story, you'll resonate with your audience on a human level. You'll show them that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about fostering collaboration and finding common ground.