What do you do if your team members have conflicting priorities in team building?

1 Identify the sources of conflict

The first step to resolving conflicting priorities in team building is to understand where they come from. Are they related to the team's objectives, roles, tasks, processes, resources, or communication? Are they caused by external factors, such as stakeholders, customers, or competitors? Are they influenced by personal factors, such as values, beliefs, styles, or emotions? By identifying the sources of conflict, you can address them more effectively and avoid assumptions or misunderstandings.

2 Communicate openly and respectfully

The second step to resolving conflicting priorities in team building is to communicate openly and respectfully with your team members. This means listening actively, asking questions, expressing your views, giving feedback, and acknowledging different perspectives. It also means avoiding blame, criticism, or judgment, and focusing on the common interests and goals of the team. By communicating openly and respectfully, you can build trust, rapport, and empathy among your team members, and reduce tension and resentment.

3 Negotiate and compromise

The third step to resolving conflicting priorities in team building is to negotiate and compromise with your team members. This means finding a middle ground that satisfies everyone's needs and expectations, and that aligns with the team's vision and mission. It also means being flexible, adaptable, and willing to make concessions or trade-offs. By negotiating and compromising, you can create a win-win situation that benefits the team as a whole, and that fosters cooperation and commitment.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?