Building Effective Teams

Team Conflict

Conflict exists in nature and, by extension, in all human relationships. Conflict can be something to avoid or embrace, or a more neutral approach can be taken. You will lead a group discussion on the subject among your peers. You decide that to generate a lively discussion, it is important to create a level of understanding of the role of conflict in groups and how conflict can be used to move a group forward.

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas:

• After doing some research on the topic of conflict, propose to your peers a position, and discuss the concept of conflict in teams.
• Is conflict something to avoid or embrace?
• Use examples from either your personal experience or from the literature that would support your position.