Task Conflict Vs. Relationship Conflict. How to separate them in healthy ways.

If you are like me, I naturally want to shy away from difficult conversations and have a tendency to reframe conflict into positive agreements. I realize this can be unhealthy and counterproductive, especially in team and work environments.

At the heart of many interpersonal conflicts is the struggle between task conflict and relationship conflict. While disagreements about a particular issue or task are relatively easy to resolve, relationships that are strained by deep-seated disagreement can be much more difficult to navigate.

There is a growing body of research on this topic, which has found that task conflict is actually beneficial for team performance, while relationship conflict can be detrimental. Task conflict occurs when team members disagree on the goals or objectives of a project, or on the best way to achieve those goals. Relationship conflict, on the other hand, refers to disagreements about personal traits or differences, such as personality clashes or differing values.

Task conflict is generally seen as healthy and productive, as it can lead to improved problem-solving skills and increased engagement.

One of the best methods of keeping task conflict out of the personal realm is to frame the conflict in the context of a healthy debate instead of a disagreement. By approaching conflict with the understanding that multiple perspectives are valuable, you can maintain positive relationships while still getting important work done.

Here are three tips to keep task conflict in its proper and healthy place:

1. Approach the conflict and debate with a healthy respect for the other person's point of view, and the time they have invested in it. "I want you to know that I respect the time and thought you have put into your point of view on this," is a healthy way to voice it. It lays the groundwork for mutual respect and removes feelings of personal attack.
2. Reframe the conflict as a discussion of possibilities rather than a disagreement. This helps to keep the focus on achieving goals, rather than personal differences or miscommunications.
3. Prioritize long-term relationships over short-term results. Task conflicts are much easier to navigate when you have built strong relationships with your team members and colleagues, which can help to minimize the impact of interpersonal conflicts on your work.

Understanding the difference between task and relationship conflict is an important step in navigating these types of conflicts successfully. With the right mindset, tools, and strategies, you can keep task conflict from derailing team productivity and relationships for good.

If you want to go deeper and read more about the studies and findings on task conflict and relationship conflict, here are some citations-

DeChurch, Leslie A., Jessica R. Mesmer-Magnus, and Dan Doty. "Moving beyond relationship and task conflict: toward a process-state perspective."?Journal of Applied Psychology?98.4 (2013): 559.

O'Neill, Thomas A., and Natalie J. Allen. "Team task conflict resolution: An examination of its linkages to team personality composition and team effectiveness outcomes."?Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice?18.2 (2014): 159.