Our second blog delving into the workshop elements covered in the Spinnaker Maritime Leadership Development Programme that are crucial for a high-performing team. This blog will cover Conflict.
The Cambridge Dictionary describes Conflict as ‘an active disagreement between people with opposing opinions and beliefs.’
When we think of high-performing teams, conflict seems the opposite of what we want in our teams. So why is conflict so important? The importance is encouraging healthy conflict. Healthy conflict can encourage creative solutions, provide diverse perspectives and ideas and therefore create better decision-making.
However, teams need to trust each other to have healthy conflict. Our first blog in this series covers Trust.
Team members need to know their thoughts are valued and that conflict is not personal. Managers can ensure this by creating a safe environment where healthy, constructive conflict is encouraged, and conflicts are resolved constructively.
What happens when a team has a fear of conflict? If a team is afraid of engaging in conflict, then important issues may not be discussed, team members are not provided with honest feedback and more determined members of the team won’t have their ideas challenged. This can lead to tension, frustration and a lack of genuine collaboration.
The Facet5 report sub fact of conflict investigates the participants natural response to Confrontation. Those with low scores will naturally adapt to other people’s arguments, will remain calm in situations and won’t buy in to arguments. Those with high scores can hold their own in confrontations and are quick to react and confront issues.
Managers need to have an understanding of their team’s personality to effectively create a safe environment and encourage healthy conflict in a team.
For more information on how Conflict impacts you and your team and on the Maritime Leadership Development Programme. Contact Helen & Monique [email protected]
Lencioni, P. (2002), The Five Dysfunction of a Team, John Wiley & Sons
