Conflict Management Strategies to Build Team Effectiveness and Resolve Conflicts by Developing "How" People Work Together

Situation:
Members of a senior leadership team were not communicating with each other effectively. Important business issues were politely ignored or actively deferred. Operating results were suffering.

The team members were from very different backgrounds in many ways including industry experience, academic training, communications style, race, gender, age, and the importance they attached to interpersonal relationships.

Solution:
The Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) was used to determine each person’s and the overall team’s level of intercultural sensitivity and competence. The team was shown the relationship among business results, inclusion, effective communications, and intercultural sensitivity and competence. The team received a custom analysis of its group-based operating style and developmental feedback and coaching. Separately each team member received a similar individual analysis and feedback. Group-based action planning was performed.

Outcome:
Team effectiveness improved. Members became more aware and accepting of differences. Decision making became more inclusive. Previously unaddressed problems were now resolved effectively. These benefits are leading to improved business operating results.

Situation:
Productivity fell as a few-hundred person organization of a Fortune 100 company was disrupted by conflict. It appeared that people had divided into two opposing “camps” in reaction to an awareness article in a local diversity newsletter.

Solution:
An initial assessment determined the true nature of the conflict and its origin in an argument between two members of the organization. A healing intervention was arranged using an external consultant and facilitator.

Outcome:
The organization came to terms with what had happened including the business impact, which provided the basis for healing and effectively refocusing on the business issues at hand.

See more background information about the Intercultural Development Inventory.

See more about how MDB Group can design and implement a plan to achieve the conflict management strategies for the workforce and work place that you need.