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Managing Conflict in Meetings |
 "Well, I can see your arguments for appointing Alison. But I just think James would be better, and you're not going to convince me otherwise."
Many of us have experienced tension and conflict in meetings. This can be exciting and energizing but it can also hurt the team's progress and morale. If you're in charge of a meeting and conflict occurs, what is your role? How do you restore peace? How can you assure that these conflicts don't harm your work.
Conflict in business meetings usually falls into two categories:
- Real professional differences - Conflict can arise from very real differences in professional opinions. In many cases, these differences don't develop into open conflict. But conflict is more likely when the outcomes is extremely import, when the decision being made is irreversible, or when the impact of making the wrong decision will reflect badly on those involved. When this type of conflict is left unresolved, it can rapidly spoil relationships.
- Power struggles and personality issues - Conflict can arise when individuals or groups dislike one another or feel that their positions are being threatened. This type of conflict tends to be more about people's personalities rather than about facts or decision being made. In either case, here are some tips for reducing the opportunity for team conflict in meetings.
The best defenses against conflict often involve preparing thoroughly before the meeting, and chairing strongly during the meeting. If you develop a reputation for running tightly structured meetings, there's less chance that individuals who attend those meetings will try to pursue their own agendas. Read more... |
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Recommended Books on Conflict Resolution |
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"Building Conflict Competent Teams" ~ Craig E. Runde
"Conflict Resolution" ~ Daniel Dana
"Divide or Conquer: How Great Teams Turn Conflict into Strength"
~ Diane McLain Smith
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