Group dynamics are a complex issue.

Team working has many benefits:

•          to improve productivity

•          to improve quality of products or services

•          to improve customer focus

•          to speed the spread of ideas

•          to respond to opportunities and threats and to fast-changing environments

•          to increase employee motivation

•          to introduce multi-skilling and employee flexibility.

There can be benefits for employees too; the most commonly-quoted outcomes are greater job satisfaction and motivation, and improved learning.

Conflict within a team can undermine these benefits and cause immeasurable cost to both individuals and the organisation. HR personnel or Team Managers cannot always be expected to be able help a team in conflict. Even when attempts are made to help out, insensitive interference can make things worse. The earlier a qualified, external workplace mediator is involved the easier it is to resolve the conflict, although conflicts which have dragged on for years or even decades can still be resolved with skilled intervention. Unresolved conflict in work teams impacts on co-operation, motivation, creativity and effectiveness.

Take positive action today to resolve team conflict.