Conflict in Teams
Conflicts in Teams Working in teams is growing throughout both the professional and academic environments. The definition of a team is a group that has the same commitments and goals (What is a Team, 2001). Teams are used in the academic environment for many reasons. Teams in the academic setting helps students learn the information better. For some students, information that they have trouble grasping, may help to hear it from a peer who can put it into a different perspective. Another main reason an academic settings uses teams is to get students used to working with others to produce a product. Many organizations use teams to produce a product or wanted outcome. Starting teams during education helps students prepare for this. Teams are used in the professional setting for several reasons as well. One reason teams are used in professional atmosphere is to produce a product. Another reason teams are used in the workplace is to make the proper decisions for the company as a whole. When working in teams conflicts can arise, in fact it is inevitable. According to De Janasz, Dowd, and Schneider (2001) Conflict is any situation in which there are incompatible goals, cognitions, or emotions within or between individuals or groups that lead to opposition or antagonistic interaction. It is the struggle between incompatible and opposing needs, wishes, ideas, interests or people. (p.242)
Conflict is inevitable, learning how to cope, solve, and even avoid the conflict as well as how conflict can help a team, is crucial information to know in order to continue the team.
Why Conflicts Arise Conflicts arise in almost every team situation. There can be many reasons why conflict may arise within a team. Conflict happens when two or more people from a team, has opposing ideas or feelings, which may cause them to “butt heads.” A reason conflict might arise in a team because the team members may make assumptions, these assumptions at times may be wrong and unfounded,
Conflict is inevitable, learning how to cope, solve, and even avoid the conflict as well as how conflict can help a team, is crucial information to know in order to continue the team.
Why Conflicts Arise Conflicts arise in almost every team situation. There can be many reasons why conflict may arise within a team. Conflict happens when two or more people from a team, has opposing ideas or feelings, which may cause them to “butt heads.” A reason conflict might arise in a team because the team members may make assumptions, these assumptions at times may be wrong and unfounded,
References: De Janasz, Dowd, & Schneider. (2001). Conflict: Sources & Solutions. Interpersonal Skills in Organizations. McGraw-Hill Companies. Esquivel, M. A., & Kleiner, B. H. (1997). The importance of conflict in work team effectiveness. Team Performance Management. 3(2), pg. 89. Retrieved January 30, 2009, from ProQuest database. Intro to Teams: What is a Team. (2001). Unit 1 Introduction Retrieved January 30, 2009 from http://www.apollolibrary.com/ltt/download/introdutiontoTeams.pdf Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary. (2009). Retrieved February 12, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arbitration National & Community Service. (2000). Resolving team conflict. Retrieved February 12, 2009, from http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/practices/17109 Poter, S. (2003). Managing Conflict in Learning Teams. Retrieved January 30, 2009 from http://www.apollolibrary.com/LTT/download/ManagingConflict.pdf