How can you help teams recognize negative conflict patterns?

1 Identify the sources

The first step to help your team recognize negative conflict patterns is to identify the sources of their conflict. Conflict can arise from different factors, such as personality clashes, communication breakdowns, power struggles, role ambiguity, or resource scarcity. By understanding the root causes of their conflict, you can help your team address them more effectively and prevent them from escalating.

2 Use a framework

The second step to help your team recognize negative conflict patterns is to use a framework that can help them categorize and analyze their conflict. A framework can provide a common language and a set of tools to help your team understand and resolve their conflict. For example, you can use the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) to help your team identify their preferred conflict styles and how they can adapt them to different situations. Or you can use the Conflict Dynamics Profile (CDP) to help your team assess their constructive and destructive conflict behaviors and how they can improve them.

3 Facilitate feedback

The third step to help your team recognize negative conflict patterns is to facilitate feedback among team members. Feedback can help your team learn from their conflict experiences and improve their communication and collaboration skills. You can use various methods to facilitate feedback, such as debriefing sessions, peer coaching, or surveys. The key is to create a safe and supportive environment where your team can share their perspectives, feelings, and suggestions without fear of judgment or retaliation.

4 Promote positive norms

The fourth step to help your team recognize negative conflict patterns is to promote positive norms that can foster a culture of healthy conflict. Positive norms are the shared expectations and values that guide your team's behavior and interactions. You can help your team develop and reinforce positive norms by modeling them yourself, involving your team in setting them, and rewarding them when they follow them. Some examples of positive norms are respecting diversity, listening actively, expressing disagreement constructively, and seeking win-win solutions.

5 Provide training

The fifth step to help your team recognize negative conflict patterns is to provide training that can enhance their conflict resolution skills and competencies. Training can help your team learn new knowledge, strategies, and techniques that can help them manage and resolve conflict more effectively and efficiently. You can use various formats and methods to provide training, such as workshops, webinars, simulations, or games. The key is to tailor the training to your team's needs, goals, and preferences.

6 Monitor and evaluate

The sixth and final step to help your team recognize negative conflict patterns is to monitor and evaluate their progress and outcomes. Monitoring and evaluating can help you track your team's performance, satisfaction, and learning in relation to their conflict resolution efforts. You can use various indicators and measures to monitor and evaluate your team, such as feedback, observations, surveys, or metrics. The key is to use the data to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges, and to adjust your facilitation accordingly.

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?