Conflict Management
University of Phoenix
PSY/428
April 6, 2008

Team conflict is normally seen as negative. Teams are usually thought of as its members disagreeing, arguing and yelling at each other all the time. Dealing openly with group conflict seems uncomfortable for most individuals, but these derailments are a normal part of every team's functioning. Dealing with a team conflict head-on can assist the team in finding better solutions and developing a solid foundation of trust in the long run. Every team has internal conflicts from time to time. A good team leader will try to avoid team conflict, and others handle disagreements inappropriately. But team leaders who handle problems constructively can improve productivity, generate new ideas and personally develop team members. At first, team conflict might seem to be negative and something that needs the team leader's immediate involvement to rectify. Sometimes conflict among team players is very important to develop new thinking and actually moving the team forward. In any disagreement, any lines of communication among people and or teams are often broken down. People stop talking to each other and may take away any representatives that they have talking to the other members of the team that might be able to bring a conclusion to the misunderstanding, and they might be much less open about the information they release to the other members. The result is often frequent misunderstandings, exaggerated and overly hostile stereotypes mistrust and panic. Opening a line of communication with the other members of the team is one of the most important steps to take if you want to de-escalate a disagreement and prevent any misunderstanding. Just by re-establishing communication.

As reorganization come into play at most organizations, putting team together to get the work which was once done by the top staff, a new for training in conflict resolution is needed.
New conflict begin from difference the organizations has not seen before, and when individuals are put together in teams divers or otherwise, there are going to be struggles for power standards, and different mind-set will contribute to the establishment of conflict among those teams. There are ways for these teams to avoid the harmful consequences which will result from differences; one of the techniques in resolving conflict stress is dealing with disagreement quickly and openly. Conflict dealt with correctly is not necessarily a negative thing. However, when handle properly; conflict can be beneficial to a team. How should team leader resolve conflict within his/her teams, the major benefit a team has over an individual the assortment of resources, ideas and knowledge . However, diversity also breads conflict. One of the leading reasons might be that leaders within any given organization are not taking the issue of resolving conflict seriously. Rayeski & Bryant, 1994 stated the consequences of poorly handled team conflict such as this are a lowering of team energy, disruption of healthy relationships, and the prevention of job accomplishment. Additionally, there is an avoidance of the disputed subject and the creation of an environment of fear. Given this information, it is important that members of any given team members possesses the ability to resolve conflict. In all teams conflict will come about because differences. When a diverse amount of individuals are put together in work teams their variation in the way thing should be done will come in to play control, values and approach, will combine and will establish conflict. When conflict begins it is hard expose were the conflict started.
The foundation of conflict can be attributed to various manifestations within a team. The lack of communication or having the proper knowledge of how to communicate will in a team setting is one of the major reasons for misunderstanding among teams.
Rayeski & Bryant, 1994 stated …diversity can also create conflict. Therefore, it is important for teams to understand the dynamics of conflict and to regulate its natural flow. Communication in a team setting is essential and all members of a team need to have in order for the project to have success is, good listening skills; the knowledge and the ability to share information and being able to read the other members of the teams nonverbal expressions. In order for team leader to deal with the conflicts that may arise from the above mention they need to know how to deal with all the members of the team and their self-esteem and their personal goals. Although conflict like beauty is normally viewed thought dark lenses, teams should understand some conflict is needed in order operate successfully. Mutual understanding by all team members is needed in-order to have effective and a successful out-come of the project. Team leaders must be able to motivate the team and examine all problems and encourage the members to express their ideas; energizing them to come up with a solution. When teams are put together it is important for all members to respect of each other. While it is true that conflict can reduce the efficiency of a team, when discussed the disagreements can be dealt with and all issues can be resolved. When teams discuss their differences it can help to increase the productivity and effectiveness of the team. When team members are able to air their differences without the fear of being pegged as being the trouble maker, the team is able to move in a direction which would be more beneficial to the team and the project. When all members sit down and discuss the problem and resolve the conflict by finding the middle ground any conflict can be resolved. Mangers and team leader need to develop a relationship of trust and respect among their teams this will be beneficial to them and the rest of the team given them a win-win solution.

References
Townsley, C. (2003). Resolving Conflict in Work Teams. Retrieved April 3, 2008 from http://www.reedsresearch.com/TeamFormation_files/ResolvingConflict.pdf