Conflict mediation
Serious conflicts within a team are like black holes: they suck up and put a lock on that team’s energy. When does a conflict require mediation by an external party?
As with a black hole, the effects of a conflict are only ever indirectly apparent:
- A worsening of the atmosphere in the team (people avoid each other or exhibit latent or open aggressiveness)
- Signs of stress (e.g. increased rate of sick leave )
- Declining performance (e.g. worsening efficiency, increases in customer complaints).
- The conflict dictates the team’s work priorities. (conflict focus).
The team and the team leader remain in the grip of the conflict’s gravitational force.
Conflict mediation provided by an external party helps to clarify the causes of the conflict and restabilise the team. Under professional guidance, the participants engage in reciprocal exchange with each other and jointly agree on a resolution to their situation, be that through consensus, compromise, acceptance or separation.
Conflict mediation takes the participants on a trip back through time, slowly and analytically examining their past motives and interests. This enables the participants to eventually reach mutual understanding on how to proceed into the future.
It therefore serves to open up the black hole and break down communication barriers within the team, releasing the energy usurped by the conflict and making it available for team creativity.
If you are unsure about whether your situation requires third-party mediation, feel free to contact me for advice.
Conflict mediation provided by an external party helps to clarify the causes of the conflict and restabilise the team. Under professional guidance, the participants engage in reciprocal exchange with each other and jointly agree on a resolution to their situation, be that through consensus, compromise, acceptance or separation.
Conflict mediation takes the participants on a trip back through time, slowly and analytically examining their past motives and interests. This enables the participants to eventually reach mutual understanding on how to proceed into the future.
It therefore serves to open up the black hole and break down communication barriers within the team, releasing the energy usurped by the conflict and making it available for team creativity.
If you are unsure about whether your situation requires third-party mediation, feel free to contact me for advice.