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Collaborating about important OPIs and FoR early in the week so everyone can divide and conquer.

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Conversation, feedback, and generating ideas is much more helpful

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-sharing resources for research form.

-meeting at least twice.

-frequent communication through text or FB

-Maintain flexibility

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We rotate  who completes form 2 and the other 3 make editing suggestions to it

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-Google Hangout
-Comment on Google Doc
-Set deadlines for forms
-Discuss our various experiences and try to tie that into the condition of the week

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Setting deadlines
Having a set schedule for meetings
Clear guidelines to keep everyone on the same page
Splitting up responsibilities for theory and FoR portions
Collaborating OPIs through BB Collab or conference call
Constant communication through group chats
Providing feedback on google docs

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Your people bring different perspectives and knowledge to your team, improving problem solving and performance. But difference can sometimes lead to conflict. And you'll need to deal with it!

In this article, we'll look at ways to identify and resolve conflict in your team, and to keep working relationships healthy and productive.

First, we'll highlight a few general skills and approaches that a manager can call on in conflict situations. Then we'll look at a five-step process for applying those skills in practice.

Conflict Resolution Skills for Managers

By using the following approach, managers will likely be able to stop conflict before it gets out of hand.

Be Proactive

Leaving someone out of an email chain, making an inappropriate remark, or speaking over people in a meeting... conflict often starts with small disagreements that escalate fast.

So, if you spot conflict, avoid leaving it to team members or HR to resolve - instead, act! This shows that you treat conflict seriously and won't condone potentially destructive behavior.

Observe

Signs of conflict can be subtle, but you can detect them by being aware of the interactions within your team. Conflict might be reflected in individuals' body language, facial expressions, or tone of voice.

​Be Fair and Impartial

Even if you agree with one or more individuals in a conflicting team, make sure that you remain objective. Your role is to address the issue cauding the conflict and to reach a solution that works for all parties.

Treat each person fairly. Give everyone the time and opportunity to present their own perspective and to respond to any criticism. It's vital that all parties can state their case and are listened to.

Step in When Needed

Don't allow individuals to hijack the conversation or to dominate more-reserved colleagues. If one person is constantly talking over others, keep your questions directed at the person being interrupted.

If people still attempt to interrupt, politely ask them to wait until their co-worker has finished before inviting their point of view.

Avoid Assumptions

When facilitating a conflict discussion, avoid stating as facts things that you only think you know or may have heard. For example, it's best to use phrases like, "As far as I'm aware," or, "As I understand it."

This also allows for the possibility that your understanding is wrong or incomplete. And it creates an opportunity for the conflicting parties to restate their cases and clarify misunderstandings.
Tip:
Managing Conflict in the Workplace in Five Steps

When a situation gets out of hand, you may need to step in as a direct facilitator, with a targeted approach to resolving team conflict.

You can follow these five steps, which we've adapted from a framework used by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). [1]

1. Speak to Team Members Individually

Start by having an informal one-on-one with each team member involved in the conflict. This way you can hear people's concerns in a safe, confidential setting. In these meetings:

Avoid making assumptions and let people open up in their own time.

Reassure them that the discussion is confidential.

Ask each party the same questions, to remain impartial.

2. Bring People Together

Once you've got a better understanding of the conflict and everyone's perspectives, it's time to bring the relevant parties together and act as a moderator.

Set some ground rules before getting the conversation underway. Encourage team members to listen to one another, respect each other's points of view, and not interrupt or make personal comments. During the conversation:

Keep the tone of the conversation calm and non-threatening.

Encourage active listening, so people understand where the other person is coming from.

Encourage individuals to share ideas. What do they want or need? What would they be prepared to commit to? Have them to brainstorm some solutions.

Ask them about situations where they've worked well together in the past. See if they can build on those positive experiences.

3. Ask the Wider Team for Ideas

When a conflict affects the whole team, provided it's not sensitive or confidential, you can ask for everyone's perspective.

4. Draw up a Plan

Ask the parties to detail agreed-on actions for reconciliation. And get each to commit to this strategy. You can draw up a timetable for actions, ticking them off as and when they are achieved. Hold all relevant parties accountable.

5. Follow up

Seek Guidance and Support

When you're faced with a challenging conflict in your team and are unsure how to handle it, seek support from a trusted colleague, your line manager, or your HR department.

If your efforts at conflict resolution don't work, you'll need to be willing to pursue formal procedures if necessary. And some situations, such as harassment, discrimination or bullying, require a formal disciplinary process to be followed. In these instances, or if you are in any doubt, liaise with your HR team for advice.

Reflect on Your Conflict Management Skills

Now think about structural or procedural improvements you can make to prevent future conflict. These could be:

Setting clear goals for every team member - when people experience the right amount of pressure, they perform well.

Make sure that people's responsibilities match their skills. Offer learning and development opportunities to plug skills gaps and help your people to realize their career aspirations.

Using regular one-on-ones to sound out potential sources of future conflict.

As the CIPD concludes, the key to resolving conflict is to, "Build an environment in your team that is open, respectful, kind, fair and consistent, in which people feel 'psychologically safe.'"

To avoid team conflict:

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How to Manage Workplace Conflict - Handling Team Conflict Effectively

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Team conflict is one of the most daunting challenges for a manager. Discover five steps to resolve team conflict.