When Leadership Matters Vol 2 2025 New - Flipbook - Page 112
Robert Britten
be built through conflict when managed through a process
that strips away ego and centers collaboration.
Effective leaders recognize the importance of
managing task-related conflict and work to create an
environment that encourages open communication and
collaboration. This can involve establishing clear
expectations and goals, promoting active listening and
dialogue, and encouraging team members to share their
ideas and perspectives, even if those perspectives are
outside of traditional norms. By addressing task-related
conflict in a constructive manner, leaders help to ensure
that their team is working together effectively towards a
common goal where possibilities are endless.
However, it's important to note that not all conflict is
good for the team. Destructive conflict, characterized by
personal attacks, stubbornness, and a lack of respect, can
be extremely damaging to team morale and productivity.
It's up to the leader to distinguish between constructive
and destructive conflict and to manage it accordingly. We
tend to want to characterize conflict as personality
differences and use that as an escape hatch to avoid the
