You're facing team conflicts during a team-building workshop. How can you effectively resolve them?

To effectively resolve team conflicts during a team-building workshop, start by creating a safe space for open communication. Encourage team members to express their concerns and listen actively without interruption. Identify the root cause of the conflict and address it collaboratively. Promote empathy by encouraging team members to understand each other's perspectives. Facilitate problem-solving discussions, focusing on finding mutually beneficial solutions. Reinforce positive behaviors and agreements reached. If necessary, bring in a neutral mediator to guide the process. By fostering open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, you can resolve conflicts and strengthen team cohesion.

Ensure everyone agrees on the conflict in the first place. If you’ve defined it differently, then you can’t get to the same end point.

Great starting point, establishing a safe space and obtaining agreements early also sets the tone for moving forward after assessing the issues.

I like to use the open dialogue to ask pertinent questions when conflict lands: - what would someone observing this team see? - what could we say are the key points here? - how can we use this energy more productively? I also utilise models like Tuckman: forming/norming/storming/performing and have the team work out where they might be. It can also be helpful to flash up the change curve and have the team plot themselves on there as individuals and as a team. Conflict for me, is still engagement - and I’d much rather have a team in conflict to work with than a team that doesn’t appear to care or engage.

Everyone agrees to be respectful, focus on the problem not the person, and listen without interrupting. This creates a safe space for open and honest conversations. Ground rules = fair play and a better chance of finding a solution

Ensure part of these guidelines include an option for taking breaks. Even when you do not allow power plays or walk aways (another way of using power), it’s helpful to agree on how to get and give space when it’s needed. Doing this ahead of time is pertinent so it does not feel manipulative but supportive of the individual and the group!

I love these perspectives. I like to call them agreements so that the team is immediately focused on making agreements towards a resolution even if it’s to agree to disagree.

Conflict resolution isn't about winning or losing. It's about finding a way forward together. Focus on common ground and how you can work together to overcome the issue. Remember, it's not about whose idea is best, it's about finding the best solution for everyone.

Teach the group how to Brainstorm. Brainstorming processes look different but overall ensure that there are “no bad ideas” and create many options for consideration. By putting out many and talking about them before anyone can shut them down, the typical decision makers can learn blind spots and more people are heard. Done well, the solutions are expanded and challenges can be tackled with new insight.

This is highly important for the team to move forward productively. Looking at setting future follow up or check in sessions are also helpful.