Healthy conflict, now what does that look like?
Conflict and the high performing team
On the journey to highly collaborative high performing teams… I wonder have we considered where conflict fits in our team dynamic.
When is conflict constructive and when is it destructive?
Conflict fits firmly in the relationships and culture element of our team dynamic. There are undoubtedly a plethora of conflict models out there, but the one that I want to share is the Conflict dynamics model/profile. Taken simply, the model outlines active and passive, constructive and destructive conflict behaviours. The Agile coaching institute represents this model from conflict dynamics (below).
Notice in the model picture, on the Constructive — Active and passive side we see conflict focusses more on the task, whereas on the Destructive — Active and passive side it moves to focus on the person.
Conflict is good as it indicates a desire for change — but keep it in the constructive zone!
It’s amazing to look at this as a team or group (when you are not in the middle of conflict) to learn and appreciate what different types of conflict look like and how they manifest themselves. If a team has a vocabulary for conflict they can better recognise it for what it is, and get it out of the destructive and into the constructive.
It’s an interesting exercise to place this model in the centre of a large room and have a group of people stand at each section of the model and move around each section considering quietly how each type of conflict feels; what area they feel most comfortable with; share examples and role play.
After going through such an exercise I’ve seen groups report a common understanding of the vocabulary; an understanding of where they have found themselves whilst in conflict; an openness to share; and an openness to create a team alliance of how they want to be when they are in conflict.
How is your team conflict level? — is there a healthy desire for change in the constructive active conflict zone?
References: www.conflicttynamics.org ; www.agilecoachinginstitue.com
Shirley Sutton is a consultant, coach, mentor and change leader. She consults and partners with business, technology teams, and organisations in their quest to evolve their ways of working and solve real business problems.
