Turning conflict into strength on your team harmony vs. command
Your team has a tough decision to make that will impact clients to varying degrees. They team meet. They discuss options. They come up with a plan that seems solid.
And then you have a bit of drama.
“She didn’t even ask me what I thought. She just told me what to do,” complains one team member. “She’s just a bossy dictator.” This team member didn’t speak up or address the situation other than to grumble to you. She avoids conflict like the plague. However, she’s a valuable part of the team and you don’t like seeing her upset. And you definitely don’t want more conflict.
While you know her description of her coworker is an exaggeration, you understand that the person she’s referring to is direct and decisive. When faced with options, she analyzes the possibilities and makes a choice. This attribute is one of the reasons you hired her in the first place. And she’s effective—there’s no denying she’s good at her job. But you also know that her style can rub others the wrong way and that she doesn’t back down from conflict. In fact, she seems energized by dealing with things head-on.
WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?
The first step is understanding that both of these employees have CliftonStrengths that, while very different, each offer valuable contributions to your team.
The first employee, whose feelings were hurt, has the CliftonStrength of Harmony. Having this strength can be a powerful unifying force on a team because people with this strength love to build consensus and find common ground. They’re incredibly helpful when you need collaboration.
The second employee, who devised the plan for clients, has the CliftonStrength of Command. People with this strength tend to have a strong presence, know how to take control of a situation, and are confident decision makers. They don’t like ambiguity and are more concerned with clarity than consensus.
Can you see how these two strengths could create conflict on your team?
NOW WHAT?
The great news for you is that people with the CliftonStrengths of Harmony and Command can make great partners, precisely because of their differences.
Because a person with Command can be viewed as insensitive, the coworker with Harmony can help them navigate team meetings in a way that still allows them to be decisive, but that feels less authoritarian to the rest of the team.
Likewise, the person with Command can help the person with Harmony discern when it would be beneficial to address conflict and help them speak up and express their thoughts in a way that doesn’t feel like they’re seeking conflict.
They key is for both teammates to recognize why they each have these inclinations and to understand the positive elements those strengths bring to the team.
MILLENNIAL GURU’S ROLE – LET US HELP
If you’ve had conflict on your team, it’s likely because you’re dealing with employees with contrasting strengths. It’s not uncommon, in that situation, for each person to focus on what he or she considers the negative aspects of the other person’s personality.
We host workshops to help your team understand the good in everyone’s strengths. We break down individual situations, create mock scenarios, and help them not just appreciate the qualities of each strength, but also learn how to work together effectively, using everyone’s strengths for the benefit of the team.
Contact Millennial Guru today for a free consultation. We’d love to learn more about your team and how we can help you transform its dynamics so you can make the most of your talent, foster success, and meet your goals.