Experts agree: Conflict creates better teams
By Valerie von Frank
The article challenges many preconceived notions surrounding conflict. It suggests that conflict is not only essential to learning, but that it can no longer be viewed as dysfunctional or unprofessional behavior. Growing up we used terms like "fighting fair". That idea is outlined in the article by setting several rules to guide this type of positive conflict. The first is just that, conflict that is positive helps to remove group think. By allowing positive conflict to take place the mistake of missing crucial mistakes because everyone wanted to agree can be avoided. The second is cooperation over competition. Since all parties are focused on solutions to the problem rather than promotion of self everyone can work together and towards that common goal. In addition, it was stated that procedures needed to be in place to handle conflict. Those procedures should be able to identify if the conflict is based on true problem solving or just wanting one approach to win versus another. Once that takes place negotiation can lead to the most logical action being identified and carried out. In order to reach agreement participants need to remove ideas and beliefs and engage in problem solving based on the accumulation of reliable data. What traceable evidence is there to point the group in the right direction? The article concluded with addressing how we should respond to conflict. Conflict between any two parties on any level can cause us to react emotionally at times while we simply avoid it during others. If we are to bring about effective change we must reduce the occurrence of both and address the problems that face us with open minds and embrace conflict.
Von Frank, R. (Winter 2012) Experts agree: Conflict creates better teams.
Tools for Learning Schools, Vol. 15, No. 2