Lesson 4: Resolution of Team Divergence

Definition of Conflict

Conflict is an awareness by some (or all) team members of differences, discrepancies, incompatible goals, contradictory desires, or potential interference in the achieving of a desired goal. Differences and discrepancies are important to any group project. Having an idea challenged requires the person presenting the idea to justify and clarify how the idea will make a better product. It will also expose faults and flaws of the idea that need to be fixed for the idea to be successful. In this way the idea is improved and strengthened. Those challenging the idea are not trying to put down the person presenting the idea or cause offense. They are challenging the idea, not the person, in an effort to help the team come to a better understanding of the project.

Incompatible goals, contradictory desires or interference quickly become harmful to the team moving forward and successfully completing the project. They are often directed more at the person than the idea. Each has the potential to derail a successful team and promote discord among the team.

As mentioned in the previous lesson, trust is more difficult to achieve on a GV team. However trust is essential for a team member to feel able to disagree with local and international team members. This is the reason a team needs to take the time to set common goals, and get to know team members prior to working on a project together. Building this trust and relationship through virtual communication technologies will enable the team to have healthy disagreements that lead to a stronger product.