Hosts Merv Jersak and Tim Jerome discuss using collaboration in conflict situations to mitigate discord. They review such activities as creating a safe environment for team members to express their concerns, fostering open communication, and establishing trust and relationships. The conversation covers practical tips such as dealing with initial conflicts, engaging in active listening, and creating rules of engagement to ensure a productive resolution process. Additionally, they touch on how to handle persistent conflict situations and the role of human relations in effective project management. The necessity of understanding the root causes behind conflicts and approaching them with empathy and insight is also highlighted.

Main Take-Aways

Some practical applications of fostering collaboration in a team setting when conflict occurs, and of using collaboration to mitigate conflict:

• understand that conflict on projects is inevitable
• understand that individuals become defensive and protective of their positions
• be aware of conflict situations no matter how minor
• create a safe environment for individuals to be able to express themselves
• encourage open communication
• establish rules of engagement for inevitable conflict situations
• develop collaborative conflict management strategies

Show Notes

Today’s Project Managers Coffee Chat: Navigating Conflict Using Collaboration Strategies

00:46 Diving more deeply into conflict management through collaboration with the team and individuals on the team. Why? Because conflict on projects is inevitable.

01:05 A review of conflict from the perspective of its effect on project progress. How individuals involved in conflict naturally become defensive.

03:17 Practical applications to handle conflict on your project. First, be aware of even minor conflicts when they begin. Help the individuals involved understand that the conflict should not be personal, but to consider the bigger picture with regard to why they feel threatened.

07:25 Creating a safe environment to allow team members feel free to express themselves and their concerns. Encouraging collaborative, open communication during conflict with the objective of achieving a positive outcome.

09:50 Establishing rules of engagement for when conflict occurs so that individuals understand how the conflict will be mitigated.

10:49 You as project manager should be part of the conflict resolution to help ensure it is resolved in a positive manner – not necessarily to be the one who resolves the conflict, but as an active listener to assist in the resolution.

12:31 Advanced conflict management strategies that include:

• a safe environment to be able to express concerns,
• having an underlying understanding that conflict will be handled collaboratively,
• following up on the agreed upon resolution,
• understanding and dealing with human emotions,
• proactively taking action if resolution is not happening,
• developing trust and professional relationships,
• determining the reason behind the conflict and why it occurred in the first place

20:26 A quick summary of the last three podcasts with regard to the importance of collaboration as a project management characteristic, and an introduction to the next podcast on tips, tools, and techniques for using collaboration in project settings.