Team Dynamics and Conflict Resolution Strategies
Team Dynamics and Conflict Resolution Strategies
University of Phoenix Success in many areas of our lives, be it family, education, business, or leisure, is dependent on successful teamwork. Teams are “a number of persons associated together in work or activity…a group on one side”(Merriam-Webster, 2008). There are many types of teams, work teams, school teams, sports teams, families etc. “The fact remains that teams, because they are made up of imperfect human beings, are inherently dysfunctional”( Lencioni, 2002). This inherent dysfunction is more commonly referred to as conflict. Working teams/groups need to be able to resolve conflict quickly and effectively in order to keep the team working well. Therefore, understanding and application of conflict resolution strategies is necessary to achieve success in any endeavor we undertake. Three often used and proven successful types of conflict resolution are negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. Each has its own style and reasons that they are successful strategies for conflict resolution.
The first “go to” form of conflict resolution in negotiation. “Negotiation is bargaining- the process of discussion and give-and-take between two or more disputants, who seek to find a solution to a common problem” (The Conflict Resolution, 1999-2007). For simple problems negotiation is the key. “A negotiation will end in one of four possible outcomes: lose-lose, win-lose, win-win, or no outcome (no consequences, negative or positive). In most situations, the ideal outcome is win-win”(Stark, 2003). When a team gets together to discuss the positive and negative points of the conflict, a negotiation can be reached. “Negotiating well means neither party need feel cheated, manipulated, or taken advantage of”(Goodman, 1991-2008). This strategy should make everyone involved feel at ease with the situation as well as the outcome. With the outcome to the liking of all involved a team will work better together then if one person
University of Phoenix Success in many areas of our lives, be it family, education, business, or leisure, is dependent on successful teamwork. Teams are “a number of persons associated together in work or activity…a group on one side”(Merriam-Webster, 2008). There are many types of teams, work teams, school teams, sports teams, families etc. “The fact remains that teams, because they are made up of imperfect human beings, are inherently dysfunctional”( Lencioni, 2002). This inherent dysfunction is more commonly referred to as conflict. Working teams/groups need to be able to resolve conflict quickly and effectively in order to keep the team working well. Therefore, understanding and application of conflict resolution strategies is necessary to achieve success in any endeavor we undertake. Three often used and proven successful types of conflict resolution are negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. Each has its own style and reasons that they are successful strategies for conflict resolution.
The first “go to” form of conflict resolution in negotiation. “Negotiation is bargaining- the process of discussion and give-and-take between two or more disputants, who seek to find a solution to a common problem” (The Conflict Resolution, 1999-2007). For simple problems negotiation is the key. “A negotiation will end in one of four possible outcomes: lose-lose, win-lose, win-win, or no outcome (no consequences, negative or positive). In most situations, the ideal outcome is win-win”(Stark, 2003). When a team gets together to discuss the positive and negative points of the conflict, a negotiation can be reached. “Negotiating well means neither party need feel cheated, manipulated, or taken advantage of”(Goodman, 1991-2008). This strategy should make everyone involved feel at ease with the situation as well as the outcome. With the outcome to the liking of all involved a team will work better together then if one person
References: Stark, P. B., & Flaherty, J. (2003). The only negotiating guide you 'll ever need: 101 ways to win everytime in any situation. , : Broadway Books. Lencioni, P. (2002). The five dysfunctions of a team: a leadership fable. , : Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated. The Conflict Resolution Information Source. (1999-2007). Negotiation. Retrieved September 8, 2008, from www.crinfo.org/action/browse.jsp?nid=2364 Association for Conflict Resolution. (2003). Frequently asked questions about conflict resolution. Retrieved September 8, 2008, from http://www.acrnet.org/about/CR-FAQ.htm American Arbitration Association. (2007). Arbitration and Mediation. Retrieved September 8, 2008, from http://www.adr.org/sp.asp?id=28749 Common Ground Divorce Specialists. (2008). Methods. Retrieved September 8, 2008, from http://www.nocourtrooms.com/methods/divorce_mediation.php Goodman B., (1991-2008). Psychology Today. The art of negotiation. Retrieved September 8, 2008, from http://www.psychologytoday.com/rss/pto-20070116-000011.html team. (2008). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved September 8, 2008, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/team