Effective Team Dynamics and Conflict Management Strategies

1. Team Dynamics & Conflict Management

2. Team Dynamics H Storming Performing Task Forming Norming L L Relationship H

3. Team Dynamics H High Performing Contentious Difference of Opinions Group Think Impoverished L L Integration H

4. What is Conflict? • Competitive or opposing action of incompatibles • Antagonistic state or action (as of divergent ideas, interests, interests or persons) • Struggle resulting from incompatible needs, drives, wishes or demands • Hostile encounter

5. Content/Issue Goals Methods Procedures Data Roles Concepts Relationship/Style Personality Clash Value Differences Style Differences Cultural Inappropriate Communications Sources of Conflict

6. Misconceptions • Conflict is always negative and destructive • Confronting an issue or a person is always unpleasant • Conflict within groups is a sign of low concern for the team • Conflict if left alone will take care of itself • The presences of conflict in an organization is the sign of a poor manager

7. Common Team/Group Problems • People do not speak openly • Questions are not asked • Lack of focus • Team members do not finish assignments • Too many tasks going on at one time • Lack of coordination • One team member talks all the time • Several people fight over everything • Small arguments turn into fights

8. How to Prevent Conflict? • Agree to disagree • Encourage each other • Focus on the journey not the destination • Understand benefits of group learning • Pay attention to different learning and communication styles • Avoid triangle communication

9. Team/Group Contracts • Share contact information • Create ground rules • Process when disagreement/conflict occurs • Divide tasks – Roles & Responsibilities • Identify team leader • Agree on desired outcome(s) • Plan meetings - when, where, how, how often • Create and follow action plan with specific timelines (include the exact time of day items are due)

10. How to Make Meetings Work

11. P.A.C.E.R. • Purpose: why are we meeting, what do we hope to accomplish? • Agenda: The topics we are going to cover, the time allowed for each, and who will lead discussion • Code of Conduct: How are we going to act, resolve problems, etc.? • Expectations: What do the participants expect from the meeting? • Roles: Who is going to do what?

12. Purpose • Why are we meeting? What do we hope to accomplish? • The purpose of the meeting is? • The objectives are?

13. Agenda • The topics we are going to cover • The time allowed for each • Who will lead the discussion of each topic? • We review the agenda before the meeting • We create an agenda before we have a meeting

14. Code of Conduct • “Ground rules” = How a team communicates • How the team makes decisions • How the team resolves conflicts • Actively listen/consider rights of others • Stay focused/Avoid tangents • No “sidebar” conversations • Honor time limits/Reiterate action items

15. Expectations • What do the participants expect from the meeting? • Capture action items/assign them to someone/set delivery date • Arrive on time/don’t miss meetings

16. Who is Going to Do What? • Facilitators – manages discussion/asks questions (“How do we make this decision?” “What are the things we can agree on?”) • Recorder – Captures basic ideas, decisions, actions items, task assignments, send meeting minutes to all instructors.

17. Who is Going to Do What? • Time Keeper- keeps meeting/agenda on time; Stops meeting • Team Leader – coordinates task assignments and communications. Makes sure all instructors see meeting minutes

18. Parking Lot • Ideas not on the agenda • Items can move from parking lot to next meetings agenda, if the group approves movement

19. Participation • Of the information you receive, Without active participation you retain: • 10% of what you read • 20 % of what you hear • 30 % of what you see • 50 % of what you see and hear

20. Team Problem Resolution Process • Initiate plan for non-compliance • Not meeting commitment dates • Not completing assignments • Not attending meetings • Other-based on team agreement

21. Team Problem Resolution Process • Discuss issue with team member • Document discussion & outcome • Implement non-compliance plan • Notify faculty advisor • Start process early • Documentation required

22. Recommendations from Students • Start project early • Set the meeting times during the first class • Get cross-functional team together early (Brainstorming Session) • Learn about the budgeting process, and apply it to the case • Produce a written task time-line for each member

23. Factors for Successful TeamsHead conflict off at the pass • Common Goal/Focus • Agreed-Upon Process/Method • Mutual Trust and Support • Full Participation/Involvement • Positive Communication • Commitment to Team Success

24. Final Thoughts • At the end of each meeting list benefits and concerns • Benefits are activities or thoughts that have worked out well • Concerns are roadblocks. What makes you feel uncomfortable? We list them/review them to find solutions • Review Parking Lot