Self-study part a - Conflict and Team Dynamics

What is conflict in the context of team dynamics?

Conflict is a process that begins when one party perceives that another has negatively affected something they care about.

What are the two main types of conflict in teams?

Task conflict and relationship conflict.

What is task conflict?

Disagreements among team members about the content and outcomes of the task being performed.

What is relationship conflict?

Interpersonal incompatibilities among team members, which typically include tension, animosity, and annoyance.

Which type of conflict is more likely to harm team performance?

Relationship conflict.

How can moderate levels of task conflict affect team performance?

They can improve performance by stimulating discussion and innovative thinking.

What are some sources of team conflict?

Resource scarcity, task interdependence, goal differences, communication issues, and personality clashes.

What is one way teams can reduce the negative impact of relationship conflict?

By building trust and psychological safety among team members.

What is psychological safety?

A shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking.

What is team cohesion?

The extent to which team members stick together and remain united in the pursuit of a common goal.

How does team cohesion impact conflict?

High cohesion can reduce relationship conflict but might also suppress necessary task conflict.

What are the five conflict-handling styles?

Competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding, and accommodating.

When is the collaborating style most appropriate?

When the goal is to find a win-win solution that satisfies all parties.

What does the avoiding style involve?

Ignoring or withdrawing from the conflict without resolving it.

What is team dynamics?

The behavioral relationships between members that influence the team's performance and effectiveness.