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Coffee Chat on 15 September at 11 AM EST: Handling Conflicts in Your Team ☕

  • 13 September 2021
  • 58 replies
  • 602 views
akshara.sruthi
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Our next Coffee Chat session is happening on Wednesday, 15th of September at 11 AM EST

We hope to hear from you during the chat!

The topic of discussion: Handling Conflicts in your team

Please block your calendars for about 45 minutes to answer five questions. To keep this session as engaging as possible, I’ve chosen a topic that all of us can relate to, and here are the
key-segments:

 

1. What are the different kinds of conflicts you see in a small/big team?
2. Is there a protocol to deal with conflicts. Please give us details!
3. When and how do you decide to escalate it to your HRBP?
4. How is conflict management different remotely?
5. How do you empower your teams to share clashing viewpoints comfortably? (edited) 

 

 

58 replies

annapoorna.venketaraman
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This is definitely going to be a very interesting topic for discussion this week!

I’d love to hear everyone’s perspective. Inviting a few of our community friends here to share their thoughts! @mmccoy @danwrite  @stevemc @zachary.king @Bex @JulianeB @chianne.shepherd @MBraga @foxcubmama @Figgilant @tboardman 

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foxcubmama
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Hey everyone! Welcome to our coffee chat. 

Apologies for the delay, we’ve been facing some downtime with out platform. It’s up and running now, so here it goes! 

First question for today is here below. To answer a question, tag the answer with the corresponding number. For example, if you are answering this question Q1, start your answer with A1 and use the quote the option

Q1 What are the different kinds of conflicts you see in a small/big team?

A1 - I have a small team (6-7 peeps) and we are tight nit… but we have some new personalities on the team and so far our main conflicts have been miscommunications and misunderstandings which are generally easy to clear up! 

I’m interested to see what other people here are dealing with and learning vicariously through their experiences.

akshara.sruthi
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Hey everyone! we’re just getting started, please join us! 

@mmccoy @danwrite  @stevemc @zachary.king @Bex @JulianeB @chianne.shepherd @MBraga @foxcubmama @Figgilant @tboardman @manns @foxcubmama 

foxcubmama
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A2. (part 2) I don’t have a team now but when I did I used to ensure that issues such as the “hidden” conflicts I mentioned earlier were brought up at team-member one-to-ones by asking open questions such as:

  • What’s making your work life harder than it needs to be?
  • Is anything making you worried, upset, or unhappy?
  • Is there anything I can do to help you to do your job?

This was good for drawing out conflicts and other issues.


LOVE this!! this is great - not just for conflict resolution - but just as a general regular check in!

foxcubmama
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Third question for today is here below. To answer a question, tag the answer with the corresponding number. For example, if you are answering this question Q3, start your answer with A3 and use the quote the option

Q3. When and how do you decide to escalate it to your HRBP?

A3. I would escalate if the mediation does not solve the problem… we do not have an “HR” department as a very small company - but if I could not find a resolution then I would pull in my manager and possibly the owner (as a last effort) to resolve.

manns
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I’m looking forward to this thanks :)

Cheers, Stephen || https://ITSM.tools
foxcubmama
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This is definitely going to be a very interesting topic for discussion this week!

I’d love to hear everyone’s perspective. Inviting a few of our community friends here to share their thoughts! @mmccoy @danwrite  @stevemc @zachary.king @Bex @JulianeB @chianne.shepherd @MBraga @foxcubmama @Figgilant @tboardman 


Looking forward to this!! Its always interesting to see everyone’s point of view!

akshara.sruthi
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Hey everyone!
 
Six important things to know before we get started on our coffee chat :coffee:

  1. To answer a question, tag the answer with the corresponding number. For example, if you are answering the first question Q1, start your answer with A1 and use the Quote option 

  2. If you cannot make it at 11:00 am EST or even if you’re past time, you can still post your answer to a particular question.

  3. You can reply to each others threads/posts to keep the conversation going.

  4. Be polite and respectful of other people’s opinions.

  5. Most importantly, have a great time here!

  6. Lastly, I will make sure to engage with all of you to make this interesting! 

akshara.sruthi
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Hey everyone! Welcome to our coffee chat. 

Apologies for the delay, we’ve been facing some downtime with out platform. It’s up and running now, so here it goes! 

First question for today is here below. To answer a question, tag the answer with the corresponding number. For example, if you are answering this question Q1, start your answer with A1 and use the quote the option

Q1 What are the different kinds of conflicts you see in a small/big team?

akshara.sruthi
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Userlevel 7
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Hey everyone! Welcome to our coffee chat. 

Apologies for the delay, we’ve been facing some downtime with out platform. It’s up and running now, so here it goes! 

First question for today is here below. To answer a question, tag the answer with the corresponding number. For example, if you are answering this question Q1, start your answer with A1 and use the quote the option

Q1 What are the different kinds of conflicts you see in a small/big team?

A1: Having seen both worlds, a small and a big team, I think the kind of conflicts I’ve seen are or at least related to things such as OKRs, goals, project picking, and resource allocation.
For example, when deciding the tools that help propel a project, everyone likes to give their input, including the seasoned players. Sometimes, teammates end up not convincing anyone. In this case, arriving at a decision becomes tedious. On the other hand, the team has a bunch of ideas or things to ponder over. Having said that, if you are racing against time, it’s better to take the help of a seasoned player on the team and then disagree but commit whole-heartedly.  

manns
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Hey everyone! Welcome to our coffee chat. 

Apologies for the delay, we’ve been facing some downtime with out platform. It’s up and running now, so here it goes! 

First question for today is here below. To answer a question, tag the answer with the corresponding number. For example, if you are answering this question Q1, start your answer with A1 and use the quote the option

Q1 What are the different kinds of conflicts you see in a small/big team?

A1. My experience is that conflicts tend to be personal in nature, or they at least start this way (if a conflict later becomes two-way or even multi-way), and by this I mean that they often stem from an individual “not liking” something. This could be an individual feeling that they’ve been treated differently to someone else, ignored, taken for granted, had their opinion overlooked in a decision, disliked something that someone else has said or done, or many other things. 

Cheers, Stephen || https://ITSM.tools
manns
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A1. (part 2) In addition to the conflicts that are seen it’s also important to understand that there will be conflicts that aren’t seen. It’s something that means that conflict prevention is just as important as conflict resolution. Again these hidden conflicts could stem from a variety of causes – from the perception of inequitable treatment to decisions conflicting with personal beliefs and opinions.

Cheers, Stephen || https://ITSM.tools
akshara.sruthi
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A2. I believe some of the ways  conflicts can be handled is by firstly, understanding how the conflict started in the first place. Once we really understand the root of the conflict, we can work around ways to deal with it.

Secondly, listening and understanding each others point of views is a good way to begin resolving the issue.

Lastly, prioritizing the areas of conflict and developing a plan to tackle each conflict can help achieve some success to resolving conflicts.

Totally. It’s always Understand, Listen, Plan, and Prioritize. 

manns
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A2. (part 2) I don’t have a team now but when I did I used to ensure that issues such as the “hidden” conflicts I mentioned earlier were brought up at team-member one-to-ones by asking open questions such as:

  • What’s making your work life harder than it needs to be?
  • Is anything making you worried, upset, or unhappy?
  • Is there anything I can do to help you to do your job?

This was good for drawing out conflicts and other issues.

Cheers, Stephen || https://ITSM.tools
mmccoy
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Handling conflict requires all team members to be open and honest. Conflict can not be resolved until its acknowledged and all parties agree to resolve their differences.  As a manager / director, if I see conflict within my department I first give my team a change to resolve it, if that doesn't happen I will step in.

 

It important that all parties realize mediation is not punitive. No judgment or sides will be taken, were all in this together. 

One thing that seems to help is team building, the stronger we are as a team the easier it is to handle conflict within the team. Usually its a bottom up approach in this scenario. Even other team members not involved in the conflict usually push their colleges to resolve the conflict, before I have to get involved or before I even here about it.

Regards - M2
alyssia.correa
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A.5 I think one of the ways to empower your teams to speak up during uncomfortable/clashing view-points is by having a mediated open-space forum where team-members can freely voice their opinion without judgement. They have to be assured that the main motive it to resolve the issue and that speaking up will not have any adverse repercussions or brought into other areas of work.

While this is idealistic - a good point of starting out is giving them a safe space to express themselves!

 

Alyssia, Freshworks Community
finn
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A1: Hi everyone! I think that big teams need a well-organized workflow. If you build a workflow considering the risks, there will be no conflict because if you have so many point views you can take a step confidently. However, small teams are harder to manage. There are a few people in there and democracy may not help to solve, especially personal, conflicts.


So interesting!! I think small teams are easier to manage because its a small group of people working towards a common goal - with well managed (and communicated) expectations it should be easier right??

But if the personal matters are reflected to work this can be the worst scenario in the small teams because after all times you spent together some relations may be fragile. You may come to the milestone to choose your friends or being professional. It is not as easy as writing :) 

 
foxcubmama
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5: Since I’m a marketer, we gather as group so we have different thoughts  to the table and that might serve as personas for our customers. We set clear rules:

- Give constructive feedback

-  No personal attacks or flame wars

- The person who is seeking feedback should be the "Direct Responsible Individual(DRI)" for that piece of work. You can't seek feedback for someone else's work.

- Be respectful, inclusive, and polite. There’s no need to get personal. 

This is good stuff!

akshara.sruthi
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Today’s session as always was amazing! Thanks for making it a great place to learn, @manns, @foxcubmama@finn, @alyssia.correa, @Divya Murthy(for being an amazing colleague and helping me out here), and @mmccoy ☕️

alyssia.correa
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A2. I believe some of the ways  conflicts can be handled is by firstly, understanding how the conflict started in the first place. Once we really understand the root of the conflict, we can work around ways to deal with it.

Secondly, listening and understanding each others point of views is a good way to begin resolving the issue.

Lastly, prioritizing the areas of conflict and developing a plan to tackle each conflict can help achieve some success to resolving conflicts.

 

Alyssia, Freshworks Community
akshara.sruthi
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Really looking forward to this session 🙂!

Welcome @alyssia.correa <3 

finn
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Hey everyone! Welcome to our coffee chat. 

Apologies for the delay, we’ve been facing some downtime with out platform. It’s up and running now, so here it goes! 

First question for today is here below. To answer a question, tag the answer with the corresponding number. For example, if you are answering this question Q1, start your answer with A1 and use the quote the option

Q1 What are the different kinds of conflicts you see in a small/big team?

 

A1: Hi everyone! I think that big teams need a well-organized workflow. If you build a workflow considering the risks, there will be no conflict because if you have so many point views you can take a step confidently. However, small teams are harder to manage. There are a few people in there and democracy may not help to solve, especially personal, conflicts.

foxcubmama
Rank
Userlevel 5
Badge +7

Hey everyone! Welcome to our coffee chat. 

Apologies for the delay, we’ve been facing some downtime with out platform. It’s up and running now, so here it goes! 

First question for today is here below. To answer a question, tag the answer with the corresponding number. For example, if you are answering this question Q1, start your answer with A1 and use the quote the option

Q1 What are the different kinds of conflicts you see in a small/big team?

 

A1: Hi everyone! I think that big teams need a well-organized workflow. If you build a workflow considering the risks, there will be no conflict because if you have so many point views you can take a step confidently. However, small teams are harder to manage. There are a few people in there and democracy may not help to solve, especially personal, conflicts.


So interesting!! I think small teams are easier to manage because its a small group of people working towards a common goal - with well managed (and communicated) expectations it should be easier right??

D
Rank
Userlevel 1

Hey everyone! Welcome to our coffee chat. 

Apologies for the delay, we’ve been facing some downtime with out platform. It’s up and running now, so here it goes! 

First question for today is here below. To answer a question, tag the answer with the corresponding number. For example, if you are answering this question Q1, start your answer with A1 and use the quote the option

Q1 What are the different kinds of conflicts you see in a small/big team?

A1. Great question, Akshara! I think in big teams, some conflicts that come up fairly often are individuals working in silos and not completely understanding how one person’s work informs another. We run risk of repetitive work or redundant work which could cause conflict. In small teams, I’d say that there is more work per person and so if two or more parties butt heads, there is a chance that a lot of work gets stopped in bulk.

finn
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Second question for today is here!

To answer a question, tag the answer with the corresponding number. For example, if you are answering this question Q2, start your answer with A2 and use the quote the option

Q2. Is there a protocol to deal with conflicts. Please give us details!

A2. We have a discipline procedure and we follow it step by step. If we have no option other than reporting, HR takes over the case. Actually, it does not repeat too much because we have preventive measures for the teams. We can resolve almost all conflicts through humanitarian dialogs and sharing. We believe good management can be achieved with transparency and accountability.  I hope the transparency that we try to present remotivates our teams. They should see the metrics that we consider while we evaluate their performance. Otherwise, no one can accuse an agent with unpredictable statistics. The agents should also see their teammates' performance. This can motivate them to work better.

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