How To Manage two Key Resources In The Same Team With Major Conflict In Past

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Conflict comes into the picture when the interest, needs, or goals of one party are incompatible with the other. In other words conflict, is due to difference in opinion, difference in priorities and/or goals to two teams or individuals. You can succeed in avoiding unwanted and unpleasant storm of ego and personality clashes at workplace by good management skills.

Consider an example –Suppose you were assigned a very critical project and you have announced the project team very recently. Next day one of the most talented and key team member walks to your workstation, as your door is always open for your team. You could sense what was on his mind, and simply ask him about it. He replies “I came to know that John has been assigned to the project team, I can’t work with him. He’s very rude, arrogant and lacks team spirit. He belittles me in front of others, and I cannot take it. I know how to do my work, and I don’t need him reviewing my work. I was really excited to be a part of this new and critical project, but not if he is part of it.”

What would you do as a project manager? A good manager should always think in the interest of the organization he or she is working for. The best answer can be, “You are one of my best employee and I want you to work on this project, it’s a great opportunity for you. But there is no one else who can work on that particular area except John. He is the only one left with strong understanding of the how to apply it on our legacy code. Unfortunately, those old programs were never documented well, and they have evolved over the years into huge programs. Without his knowledge of the existing system, we might blow the budget and time estimates already established for this project. Since we require both of you on this project, here’s what I propose. I will clearly outline the roles and responsibilities for all the key team members at the kick-off meeting. I will also make it clear that negative team interactions won’t be allowed. And if you have any issue with him, which you want me to help in resolving, the three of us can sit and discuss”.

One must handle the situation tactically, in the interest of the company. To handle conflict between your team members requires management tactics and diplomacy.

Some tips

  • Individual session with both: It would be better you have individual sessions with both the key resources in your company, Talk to them and find out how they feel about the company, job and their new project. Analyze the information from other team members and then come to a conclusion regarding their attitude and/or working style and whether it matches with your existing team.
  • Create a clear roles and responsibility chart so that there are minimum conflicts with respect to accountability and responsibilities.
  • Go for team building exercises, preferably out of office premises, at times change of place do miracles.
  • If possible try to figure out the root cause of the differences in past and ensure not to replicate any such scenario in your current project.
  • Be very careful while having both north and south pole together, check your team is still one team and not divided into two. This can lead to serious consequences to your project.

Conflict management comes under the Manage Project Team process of the Knowledge area Project Human Resource Management. According to the PMBOK® Guide, when you have successfully resolved conflict, it will result in increased productivity, better results, and more positive working relationships.

About Aditi Malhotra

Aditi Malhotra is the Content Marketing Manager at Whizlabs. Having a Master in Journalism and Mass Communication, she helps businesses stop playing around with Content Marketing and start seeing tangible ROI. A writer by day and a reader by night, she is a fine blend of both reality and fantasy. Apart from her professional commitments, she is also endearing to publish a book authored by her very soon.

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