I realize that the term “healthy conflict” may sound like an oxymoron, but hear me out. When handled properly, disagreements and opposing ideas can actually pave the way for innovation and creative thinking.

How stagnant would a company grow if the entire team had only way of thinking? Or if the same problem-solving techniques were applied over and over again?

Healthy conflict demonstrates how a team can come together, discuss different ideas and challenge one another in a way that will lead to increased productivity and growth.

As a leader, you can help groom your team to engage in healthy conflict by implementing a few simple tips.

1. Create An Agreement. Discuss ways that team members will address how they will want to deal with conflict if they don’t agree with each other on a matter. Do this openly and make sure to have someone write down what the process is that everyone has agreed upon. Additionally, check for accountability around the agreement. Make sure to evaluate how this agreement is working about every 3-6 months.

2. Acknowledge Strengths. A high-performing team consists of people with different, but complementary knowledge and skill sets. If you notice that a certain team member is an idea man, and another team member is great at organizing – say something! This will reinforce their strengths and encourage them to take more ownership in the areas where they truly shine.

3. Get Out of the Way. This can be very hard to do, but you will be a better leader if you keep your ideas to yourself during the first part of a meeting or brainstorming session with your team. Present your own thoughts too early, and you may inadvertently curb some creativity by influencing the trajectory of the discussion before everyone has a chance to share.

Conflict doesn’t have to be emotional or toxic. If you cultivate an interactive environment where your employees are welcome to disagree and encouraged to talk through differing ideas, healthy conflict can actually be a positive way to boost your team’s efficiency and your company’s bottom line.

Inspiring You To Thrive,

COACHING QUESTIONS

TRUE or FALSE

True. According to a survey completed by BrandonHall's State of Leadership Development, last year the US spent approximately $160 billion toward employee training and education - just over a third of the global total of $365 billion. And 89% of executives surveyed believe strengthening organizational leadership is a top priority.

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Molly Lamb is no stranger to the hard work and dedication it takes to be an effective leader and build a thriving business. Enjoy this video featuring her inspirational story!

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How Ready Are You to Lead Your Team

Leadership is having the desire and ability to develop and grow in your response-agility to people and situations you find yourself in every day. When you are able to do this effectively, you are able to expand your leadership presence, communicate effectively, listen deeper, and develop those around you.

Sheeba Varghese is a Professional Certified Coach, speaker, and mentor to many. Her passion is to inspire and equip men and women to lead with excellence and authenticity within the spheres of influences that they are called to impact in life. The spheres may be in a home, on a team, in a classroom, among partners in a firm, or within management, to name a few.

In her time apart from clients, Sheeba enjoys time with her husband, Santosh, and their 2 sons, Sam and Steven. She loves great movies, a good book, decorating and eating at the wonderful restaurants of San Francisco.

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Healthy Conflict