When people come together to work in a team, conflict is one of the biggest problems that they have to avoid. The differences in the background, character or the way to do the tasks are some main sources of conflicts. Team leader and members who face such problems have to find the way to resolve it as soon as possible. I used to work in a team before and be one of the members involved in a conflict. I am still wondering whether I was right or wrong when I resolved the conflict like that
That was a large history project two years ago. We had to present about the most terrible war of humankind. There was one more day to prepare for the presentation but Chau, who was in charge of finding the war map for my presentation, did not send the map to Son, the team leader, to put to the powerpoint file. Unfortunately, there was also an exam on the presentation day and our team leader did not prepare well for this. At the night before the presentation, although Chau and I struggled finding the map but Son did not appear to receive it. Therefore, my presentation was not as good as I suppose because I could not demonstrate the battle more lively and clearly.
At that time I hated him so much and I just wanted to scold him for being lazy and irresponsible. However, the presentation would continued the following week so I chose to be quiet to avoid a fight within the team. My choice was not as easy as I think, I was angry so much that cannot refrain from complaining with other friends about his fault behind his back. Other people in my team especially Chau agree with me about Son and they also angry with him about that. However, I knew I acted badly but I thought it was the best way to avoid conflicting.
That is a small story I would like to share and hear your advice. We are going to work together for the whole semester so that it is very good to share experience with each other about resolving conflict that may happen.
Hi Khoa,
ReplyDeleteInitially, avoidance of conflict is a good measure when you aren't able to calm your rage. However, I feel that you should had approached your leader after you had calmed down so that you could clarify the situation. Resolution is better than avoidance in most cases.
Also, one should avoid speaking bad behind another's back. I know it is a good way of venting anger and frustration. Whilst this may provide short-term relief in terms of anger, this might prove fatal in the long run. After all, we all know that words spread and before you know it, the guy whom you are talking about would had known all about your transgression. This will be particularly damaging to you relationship to said person especially after you had resolved the issue. It might also spark another conflict as a result.
That said, I feel that all conflicts should be resolved as openly as possible. Hence, I hope we will resolve any such conflicts in an open and objective manner should any conflicts arise in our team. :)
Thank you for sharing your story. :) I appreciate it.
Yours sincerely,
Juncheng Chen
Hello Khoa,
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to read an experience of yours that many can relate to.
For one, I have gone through a similar experience. An uncooperative teammate, coupled with the lack of communication between the two parties, will inevitably lead to a blow over of the situation. Thus, we should all aim to resolve the conflict before things get out of hand.
As a member of the team, leader or not, you should stamp your authority when you sense that things have gone awry. Keep your composure! (meditation perhaps? =p) Communication is not an option here, do make sure that the person in question know that the team is unhappy about his failure in completing his task (in this case, sending the map over). Inquire the reason for doing so, and explain the importance of his task. Your friend is bound to be defensive, so your job now would be to simmer things down.
It could be difficult, but as the team still have a presentation to conduct, every single member counts. Stress the importance of every single contribution from the team, and motivate them. With academic grades at stake here, assure your friend as well as the team that, as long as everyone sticks together, even the wrong can become a right.
If a team can work together without animosity, you already have half the battle won!
Regards,
Justin
In my opinion, your method to prevent a conflict was the best method. For the good of the team and the following presentations, you chose to hide your unhappiness. However, you failed to keep to the method entirely and the conflict still came about. It is the best method only if the aim is to make the best presentation. If the aim is instead to keep a harmonious team relationship for future collaborations, then this may not be a suitable method.
ReplyDeleteThe problem started when you first took a quick stand that Son was lazy and irresponsible. This can potentially snowball to greater problems. Did you make too fast an assumption? What you should have done was to gather for a team meeting and speak to Son in a caring tone. Son may have time management problems which you can all work out a solution to.
You were aware of the busy time Son was having that previous day. Since the map was very important, you could have personally taken care of the addition to the slides. This not only helps lessen the burden on Son which fosters good teamwork, it also makes sure the presentation is in top form.
Maybe now, after everything has died down over time, you probably can attempt to talk to Son about this issue to avoid more distrust and a misunderstanding.
Hi Khoa,
ReplyDeleteI prefer your method of dealing with the conflict. Avoiding conflicts might seem to be a timid act, but it could prevent the team from awkwardness that would be felt if you confronted with Son. Confrontation would most likely cause both parties to feel bad and thus affect the outcome of the project.
However, to maintain good relationship with Son for future collaborations, I feel that there is a need to sit down together with him and talk about the issue. Perhaps clearing the misunderstandings (if there is any) after the project would be sufficient to savage the relationship with Son.
Jing Mei
Hi Khoa,
ReplyDeleteConflicts are unavoidable in a team and therefore it is important that you know how to deal with them rather than merely sidestepping them. You have managed to sidestep a conflict and avoid a potential rift within your group rather than confronting your team mates and arriving at a workable solution. This has effectively avoided a pandemonium within your group but at the same time has left you emotionally distraught and has forced you to harbour all your disappointment and anger. Definitely not a good option !
In the first place it was wrong on Son's part that he did not get the map on time. If he did, you wouldn't have had to give it to Chau on the eve of his exam and the whole problem could have been prevented.
Now that you managed to get the map at the last minute and Chau wasn't there to get it, you should probably stay quiet until after the presentation. Then, you could talk to your team mates and throw light on the fact that the presentation would have been so much better had they built a good rapport between them. A 10 minutes of motivational talk would surely get your team back on track and you would not have been left as disappointed as you are right now.
-Lakshmi
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteThank you for giving me an advice. I think I should have a small talk about the problem instead of keeping it inside and make me feel uncomfortable. I think all of us should do it too. Whenever you are in conflict with someone in team, you should be calm and talk to them to clear the misunderstanding, and maintain good relationship with each other.