You're navigating conflicting leadership styles in group coaching. How can you bring harmony to the team?

Para armonizar un equipo enfrentando estilos de liderazgo conflictivos en el coaching grupal, es fundamental implementar un enfoque equilibrado. Promueve una comunicación abierta y constructiva para que cada miembro del equipo exprese sus perspectivas y preocupaciones. Facilita sesiones de reflexión en grupo para alinear objetivos comunes y definir expectativas claras. Establece roles y responsabilidades bien definidos para evitar solapamientos y conflictos. Fomenta el respeto mutuo y la colaboración mediante talleres de desarrollo de habilidades interpersonales. Ofrece coaching individualizado para abordar problemas específicos y mejorar la cohesión. Esta estrategia asegura una integración efectiva de los diversos estilos de liderazgo.

Using established frameworks/tools are an easy way to take the “personal” aspects out of the situation. It is also effective to have everyone honestly self-reflect on those patterns and habits in a group setting. It enables everyone to know the best ways to can interact and what to expect from each other. This practice can also provide insights that can make group facilitation more effective.

I often encourage my clients to create a space for “co-creation” of a shared vision. Rather than imposing a unified solution, I lead the team through collaborative workshops that explore different styles and how they intersect with the team’s goals. I encourage the development of a “synergy map” where each leadership style is represented and intersections are explored. This fosters mutual understanding and reveals how each approach can contribute to a cohesive strategy. Transparency and appreciation of differences create an environment where diversity becomes a strategic asset, not a challenge.

Get the leadership style of each member, and during the coaching session, do a session in movement. One location per leadership style : ask everyone to position themselves in the room according their results. This constitues a good base of discussion / reflection on how the collective is, lacks, … Then you can ask everyone to do one step towards the leadership style they would like to develop. By associating the collective movement in the room, it really helps the members to also visualise the diversity of the team.

To integrate conflicting leadership styles, you might suggest adopting the practice of “co-reflection.” Establish regular meetings where leaders can discuss not only successes but also challenges in their approaches. Introduce the “outside view” technique, where a neutral facilitator reviews interactions and suggests adjustments based on objective observations. This process not only promotes self-awareness and adaptation, but also reinforces the idea that continuous evolution is essential for harmony. This method values each style while encouraging leaders to be flexible and adaptable toward a common goal.

Bring harmony by setting clear boundaries and expectations for everyone. Define how each leadership style can contribute positively, and establish ground rules to ensure respect and collaboration. This helps align the team and minimizes conflicts.

Encourage Open Communication: Create a safe space for team members to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. Active listening and empathy are crucial in understanding different perspectives and addressing potential conflicts.

To reconcile conflicting leadership styles, I often recommend implementing an “adaptive leadership” strategy. It begins by establishing a “points of convergence” model, where leaders identify and work together on areas of common interest and goals, respecting and valuing their differences. It also encourages the practice of “cross-mentoring,” where leaders with different styles mentor each other. This approach allows them to share perspectives and integrate their different approaches in a complementary way. With this practice, conflicts are transformed into opportunities for mutual growth, and harmony is achieved through mutual understanding and collaboration.

Foster a Culture of Respect: Promote a culture where diverse leadership styles are valued and respected. Encourage team members to appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of each style, leading to a more inclusive and harmonious environment.

In Air Force doctrine they say flexibility is the key to air power. This means the ability to response with agility to rapidly changing environs that tend to frustrate rigid plans, indeed, to expect there will be change that threatens success. This is not a doctrine limited to the projection of military force. Such flexibility is a key element to the success of any organization, whether in business or government.

Start by facilitating workshops focused on shared goals and values, allowing leaders to see beyond their individual preferences. Highlight complementary strengths and demonstrate how they can be woven together to achieve better outcomes. This approach fosters a cohesive leadership unit, turning differences into strengths. Tips: Encourage open communication, emphasize mutual respect, and celebrate small wins to build trust and unity.

Identify and Leverage Strengths: Help team members recognize their individual strengths and how they can complement each other. This will encourage collaboration, improve problem-solving, and enhance overall performance. AND Develop a Collaborative Mindset: Encourage a mindset shift from "my way is the best way" to "what's best for the team?" Foster an environment where team members seek input, share ideas, and work together to achieve common goals.

Establish Clear Roles and Expectations: Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and expectations to avoid confusion and overlapping work. This will help reduce tension and promote a sense of unity. AND Encourage Flexibility and Adaptability: Teach team members to be flexible and adaptable when working with different leadership styles. This will help them navigate conflicts and find common ground.

Sustaining harmony within a team necessitates continuous effort and reinforcement of collaborative practices. Regular coaching sessions can help maintain balance between leadership styles and address emerging challenges. Celebrate successes stemming from effective collaboration, using them as teaching moments to emphasize the value of harmonized leadership. Strive to create a dynamic where all leaders feel valued and motivated to contribute to the team's success, fostering a workplace environment that thrives on collaboration and respect.

Provide Training and Development: Offer training and development opportunities to help team members improve their leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution abilities. AND Lead by Example: Demonstrate effective leadership by modeling the behaviors and attitudes you want to see in the team. Showcase empathy, active listening, and a willingness to compromise.