At a meeting yesterday in San Francisco, the leader of a not-for-profit organization was encouraging his managers to define the norms for their team meetings. One of the ideas discussed was to make sure that the meetings minimized conflict. As their consultant, I intervened by discussing the difference between cognitive and emotional conflict . . . → Read More: Leaders Don’t Stop the Good Fight

Managing conflict begins by understanding that the word “conflict” derives from the Latin word conflictus – a striking together. When two people have conflict, they can either strike together by tackling an issue together or strike together by butting heads. The problem with many teams is that they don’t distinguish between helpful and . . . → Read More: How Leaders Use Helpful Conflict – Part II

Managing conflict begins by understanding that the word “conflict” derives from the Latin word conflīctus – a striking together. When two people have conflict, they can either strike together by tackling an issue together or strike together by butting heads. Many leaders don’t distinguish between helpful and hurtful conflict – cognitive from emotional . . . → Read More: How Leaders Use Helpful Conflict – Part I

Randy was under pressure as the product manager for a medical supply company. His team needed to design and deliver a new bedside monitor within 12 months. Unfortunately, his design team felt that the marketing group hadn’t provided the correct information, and his manufacturing colleagues were angry that the design team was . . . → Read More: Six Tips to Help Leaders Benefit From Conflict