Team Dynamics &
Conflict Management
1
Team Dynamics
H
Storming
Performing
Forming
Norming
Task
L
L
2
Relationship
H
Team Dynamics
H
Contentious
High
Performing
Impoverished
Group
Think
Difference of
Opinions
L
L
3
Integration
H
What is Conflict?
1. Competitive or opposing action of
incompatibles
2. Antagonistic state or action (as of divergent
ideas, interests, interests or persons)
3. Struggle resulting from incompatible needs,
drives, wishes or demands
4. Hostile encounter
4
Sources of Conflict
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Content/Issue
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Goals
Methods
Procedures
Data
Roles
Concepts
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Relationship/Style
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Personality Clash
Value Differences
Style Differences
Cultural
Inappropriate
Communications
Misconceptions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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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
Common Team/Group
Problems
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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
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Lack of coordination
One team member talks all the time
Several people fight over everything
Small arguments turn into fights
How to Prevent Conflict?
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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
Team/Group Contracts
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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)
How to Make Meetings
Work
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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?
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Purpose
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Why are we meeting? What do we hope to
accomplish?
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The purpose of the meeting is?
The objectives are?
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
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We create an agenda before we have a meeting
Code of Conduct
“Ground rules” = How a team communicates
 How the team makes decisions
 How the team resolves conflicts
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Actively listen/consider rights of others
Stay focused/Avoid tangents
No “sidebar” conversations
Honor time limits/Reiterate action items
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
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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.
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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
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Parking Lot
Ideas not on the agenda
 Items can move from parking lot to next
meetings agenda, if the group approves
movement
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Participation
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Of the information you receive,
Without active participation you retain:
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10% of what you read
20 % of what you hear
30 % of what you see
50 % of what you see and hear
Team Problem Resolution
Process
Initiate plan for non-compliance
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Not meeting commitment dates
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Not completing assignments
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Not attending meetings
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Other-based on team agreement
Team Problem Resolution
Process
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Discuss issue with team member
Document discussion & outcome
Implement non-compliance plan
Notify faculty advisor
Start process early
Documentation required
Recommendations from
Students
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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
Factors for Successful Teams
Head conflict off at the pass
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Common Goal/Focus
Agreed-Upon Process/Method
Mutual Trust and Support
Full Participation/Involvement
Positive Communication
Commitment to Team Success
Final Thoughts
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At the end of each meeting list benefits and
concerns
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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