Some team conflicts seem to get resolved quickly.
Others keep resurfacing in meeting after meeting, leaving everyone frustrated and no closer to a solution.
In this episode, I explain why certain disagreements are so difficult to resolve and introduce a simple framework for identifying the three types of conflict that show up on nearly every team: process conflict, perspective conflict, and personality conflict.
You'll learn how to recognize which type of conflict you're dealing with, why different conflicts require different responses, and the practical steps managers can take to help conversations move forward instead of going in circles.
By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer way to diagnose team disagreements, reduce unnecessary friction, and help your team navigate conflict more productively.
Conversation Topics
- (00:00) Why smart teams get stuck in unresolved disagreements
- (00:54) The three types of conflict hiding inside one conversation
- (03:06) Type #1: Process conflict and clarity on how work gets done
- (04:23) Type #2: Perspective conflict driven by values, experience, and expertise
- (05:19) Type #3: Personality conflict and clashing work styles
- (06:20) Move #1: Identify the type of conflict before solving it
- (06:49) Move #2: Resolve process conflict by clarifying decision rights and expectations
- (08:29) Move #3: Resolve perspective conflict by naming trade-offs and decision criteria
- (10:30) Move #4: Manage personality conflict through translation, reframing, and team norms
- (12:03) [Extended] Why managers often misdiagnose conflict when they are part of it
- (13:19) [Extended] How to recognize when you're acting like a player instead of a referee.
- (14:22) [Extended] A simple technique for reducing bias during difficult team disagreements.
📚 Additional Resources
✨ Read the transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15h40eVFr8x2Mk9kW9gn53rbZQQpxjBmkxkE19BmLTxM/edit?usp=sharing
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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive and great work gets done.
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