The Manager's Pocket Guide to Virtual Teams

Step E.Manage conflict

•   What it means:

—   Resolving differences in a way that results in a win-win outcome

•   How it works:

—   Identify values

—   Expand alternatives

—   Select the best alternative

The Idea

Managing conflict is a resolution of differences that provides for a win-win outcome by incorporating at least some values (needs and desires) of all parties to the conflict.

Conflict management should be used when you need another person’s cooperation to carry out the solution to a problem. It’s also useful when imposing your views would be counter-productive.

It will be difficult to manage conflicts if team members do not share a common set of agreements about working together and resolving conflicts. Team members need to be willing ...