Two top performers on your team are clashing. How can you resolve their conflict and boost productivity?
Conflict between star employees can disrupt productivity. To mend fences and bolster teamwork, consider these steps:
- Facilitate a mediated discussion to allow each party to voice their concerns in a controlled environment.
- Establish common goals to refocus their energies on shared objectives rather than personal differences.
- Encourage empathy by having them collaborate on a small project to rebuild trust and understanding.
What strategies have helped you resolve conflicts within your team?
Two top performers on your team are clashing. How can you resolve their conflict and boost productivity?
Conflict between star employees can disrupt productivity. To mend fences and bolster teamwork, consider these steps:
- Facilitate a mediated discussion to allow each party to voice their concerns in a controlled environment.
- Establish common goals to refocus their energies on shared objectives rather than personal differences.
- Encourage empathy by having them collaborate on a small project to rebuild trust and understanding.
What strategies have helped you resolve conflicts within your team?
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Cuando dos de los mejores jugadores de un equipo comenzaron a enfrentarse, les pedí reunirse conmigo. Les dije: “Ambos son clave para el éxito del equipo, pero este conflicto está afectando a todos. ¿Podemos explorar juntos una solución que funcione para ambos?”. Facilitamos un diálogo donde cada uno compartió sus perspectivas y encontramos un terreno común. Resolver conflictos requiere crear un espacio seguro para el diálogo, enfocarse en el problema, no en las personas, y encontrar objetivos compartidos. Al transformar el conflicto en colaboración, no solo se reduce la tensión, sino que también se aumenta la productividad y la cohesión del equipo. Liderar con empatía y estrategia es la clave.
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Facilitate a neutral and private conversation where each can express their perspective without interruption, fostering mutual understanding. Emphasize shared goals and explore solutions that align with team objectives while respecting individual needs. For example, I once mediated a conflict by guiding the team members to collaborate on a challenging project, leveraging their strengths and shared accountability, which not only resolved tensions but also boosted productivity.
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Help them to find common ground on a higher level. Maybe they can not agree on the how. Hopefully they agree on the why or a common goal.
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When two top performers clash, it’s tempting to just mediate and move on. But here’s what I’ve learned: I don’t just address the conflict—I dig deeper into their strengths and growth areas. I encourage continuous learning. I show how staying ahead of trends and upskilling can shift their focus from competition to collaboration. Most importantly, I help them see that their shared growth drives the team’s success. What about you? How do you turn conflict into opportunity?
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Para resolver el conflicto entre dos jugadores clave, organizaría una reunión en un ambiente neutral donde puedan expresar sus preocupaciones. Escucharía activamente y facilitaría una discusión para identificar la raíz del problema. Luego, los guiaría a generar soluciones colaborativas que beneficien al equipo. Finalmente, estableceríamos un plan de acción con roles claros y un sistema de seguimiento para fomentar la comunicación abierta y mejorar la productividad del equipo.
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1. Facilitate an open conversation between the two, creating a neutral and safe space to express concerns and understand each other's perspectives. 2. Identify shared goals and encourage collaboration by assigning tasks that require mutual input and cooperation. 3. Mediate with constructive feedback, emphasizing teamwork and conflict resolution strategies to prevent future clashes.
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