Resolution of Team Divergence: Conflict Resolution Strategies

Avoiding

When using avoiding one seeks to change the focus of the conversation or interaction. It seeks to distract the other party with other details or in extreme cases one person will simply remain silent and refuse to participate. The issue causing the conflict is not discussed. It seeks to not have any unpleasant interactions.

Such a technique is viewed negatively in the United States, but is favored in Spain or Japan where it is viewed as a sign of maturity. This strategy may not resolve the conflict, but may allow for things to proceed forward by avoiding the conflicting issue. It may result in allowing frustrations to build with the potential of a bigger blowout.

If a GV team has only a short time remaining working together, it may be used to avoid unpleasant interactions. It may also occur if a culture does not encourage or support conflict wishes to avoid conflict with more culturally aggressive team members. It may result in a subgroup of a team agreeing with a proposition to avoid a conflict when they do not agree or wish to participate.