One of the major dysfunctions of a team is: fear of conflict! Let’s get proactive when it comes to conflict and learn how to get our bearings when faced with it!
What is conflict? How can the conflict resolution “onion” help? How can we be proactive when it comes to conflict? How does understanding human physiology equip us to be “better” at conflict?
This content maps to the PMP ECO Task 1.1.0 = Manage Conflict (Exam Content Outline for PMP Exam). This video also touches on other tasks and enablers in the ECO: team charter, high performing teams, and EI
In the above video, I run through Bell and Hart’s classic 8 sources of conflict at work:
1. Conflicting Resources
2. Conflicting Styles (I look at “styles” from a few angles – personality/behavioral style, cultural, and work styles)
3. Conflicting Perceptions
4. Conflicting Goals
5. Conflicting Pressures
6. Conflicting Roles (I covered the perspectives we have based on role as well as “role conflict” when roles become unclear or overstepped, etc)
7. Different Personal Values
8. Unpredictable Policies
If you are studying for the PMP this maps to the ECO (Exam Content Outline) 1.1.1 INTERPRET THE SOURCE AND STAGE OF THE CONFLICT… though I am just talking about Conflict Source in this video. The next video (below) addresses Conflict Stages.
In this video I cover the general stages of conflict. If you Google around you’ll likely find different lists of stages, generally 4 stages are outlined (eg on HR sites). I also mention a 5 Stage list in this video as well. If you are studying for the PMP, this maps to the Exam Content Outline (ECO) 1.1.1 Interpret the Source and Stage of the Conflict.
As leaders we are expected to jump into a conflict situation. How do you get your bearings? Well, first, step back and analyze the context. In this video I talk about the many aspects of context for you to consider, posing the points as questions.
This maps to the PMP ECO: 1.1.2 Analyze the context for the conflict.
In this video I cover the 6 approaches that we see in the PMBOK7 (PMI). This maps to the PMP ECO: 1.1.3 EVALUATE/RECOMMEND/RECONCILE THE APPROPRIATE CONFLICT RESOLUTION SOLUTION.
Historically, these were called the 5 Conflict Styles. If you are curious to know more, click here for a great post on Thomas & Killman’s 5 Conflict Styles.
Also, check out Liane Davey and her book, The Good Fight!