How to Manage Conflict: 10 Insights from a Global Team Building, Part Two
Lee-Anne Ragan
I create truly innovative, customized training workshops to energize your team and help you work better together so you can get on with your important business of changing the world.
As I mentioned in Part One, recently, I had the pleasure of working with an intercultural team that spanned the globe, and let me tell you, it was a journey full of insights, laughs, and a bunch of aha moments.?
It also included some conflict, misunderstanding, and distrust between team members.
One of the biggest challenges with working with teams is to ‘get the learning to leave the room’ aka be applied, long after the team building has ended.
Especially for a team experiencing some conflict, the application of the learning is especially critical.
Last week I covered intention vs. reception, control what you can, the power of the interrobang, intention to defend or understand, and embracing faith.
?Here are five more key takeaways from our time together, meant to help the team and you apply the learning, especially when conflict is present.??
1. See People?
Desmond Tutu said, "You cannot be human on your own."?
To see people more clearly, more fully, and more completely, use the Life Lenses? assessment (link below).?
It helps illuminate different perspectives, making it easier to understand others, reduce conflict, and foster genuine connections.
2. The Danger of a Single Story
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's TED Talk on "The Danger of a Single Story" is a must-watch.?
Single stories can break us, divide us, and are often wildly incomplete. But when we embrace multiple stories, they can bring us together, fostering unity and understanding.
In customizing my team-building retreats I often ask team members to share some unique information about themselves.? Then, during the retreat I share some of the tidbits and have the team guess who I’m talking about.? It never fails to delight and surprise.
Annnnd I encourage folks to see these tidbits as the opening chapter of a story.? I encourage team members to ask the story owners to say more about the story.
Seek stories out.? You won’t be disappointed.
3. Practice Grace
Ever notice how we blame the environment when we make a mistake but blame others individually when they err??
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It’s called the fundamental attribution error. Give others the same grace you give yourself.?
We all have off days and make mistakes. Understanding this can lead to more compassionate interactions.
4. Dignity and Respect
Dignity is about inherent value and worth – something everyone possesses.?
Respect, on the other hand, is earned.?
Recognize the dignity in everyone and treat them with respect.?
It’s a simple (not always easy I grant you) yet powerful way to build positive relationships and reduce conflict.
5. Embrace Curiosity
Curiosity might have killed the cat, but it can also lead to profound discoveries and better understanding. Approach life with an open, curious mind. Ask questions, seek new perspectives, and be willing to learn. It's a sure way to grow both personally and professionally.
In summary, I adore working with teams who are change makers.? It’s always intriguing and interesting.? No two teams are ever alike.
Conflict becomes easier to manage and less threatening, which makes working together more collaborative, fruitful, and fulfilling when you pull all of these ten tips together:
Remember, it’s not just about seeing the world through your lens but also embracing the perspectives of others. So, go forth, embrace these insights, and watch your team (and yourself) flourish!
Now go on and learn, laugh, and lead
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Fractional Operations + Business Consulting: Helping Startups (non-tech) + SME + NPO organisations thrive through optimisation, strategy and project management processes
4 个月Very helpful!