Team Dynamics and Conflict Resolution Strategies

Arbitration is the submission of a disputed matter to an impartial person (the arbitrator) for decision. Arbitration is typically an out-of-court method for resolving a dispute. The arbitrator controls the process, will listen to both sides and make a decision. Like a trial, only one side will prevail. Unlike a trial, appeal rights are limited.

In today’s world teamwork is being utilized by companies across the globe. Employers are seeing the value of teamwork and what can be accomplished when people put the strengths together. These teams consist of people from different cultures with different personalities. Conflict is inevitable when it comes to group dynamics. Conflict resolution is necessary to keep the group functioning efficiently. This paper will analyze group dynamics and focus on conflict resolution by way of communication.

Conflict results from real or perceived opposition to one’s values, actions, desires or general interests. Conflicts may occur internally or externally between individuals or groups; conflict within a team environment can cause frustration, and occasionally anger. However, conflict resolution can also often generate positive results for the team. Conflict management skills remain in demand; conflict may be managed successfully by reaching an agreement that satisfies the needs of both the individual(s) and the team as a whole

It is promoted as an avenue to resolve disputes efficiently. Arbitration avoids hostility. Parties in arbitration are more likely than not to work peacefully rather than inflate malice against each other. It is a much cheaper option to litigation, especially when the arbitrator chosen is a non-lawyer. It is conducted in a much quicker process, saving much time and stress on both parties in the long run. Scheduling for arbitration is flexible, and can be decided on by the parties rather than fitting in a schedule convenient for the courts. Rules of evidence and procedure are much more simple and lenient. Most importantly, arbitration is handled privately, with no information being released to the public unlike court

Mediation happens when a 3rd party comes in and helps improve the relationship, enhances communication, and uses effective problem solving techniques. Administrative or managerial approaches and procedures are used if conflict is between employees or members of an organization. The 3rd party, doing the mediation is allowed to make a decision if need be. This approach reminds me of how the military handles conflict within their ranks. Being in the military I have seen this process being conducted, they will allow the parties to try to resolve their own conflict, but if they cannot the authority figure does it for them. Arbitration is a private process still including a 3rd party that helps resolve the conflict. Arbitration comes in two forms med-arb and mediation then arbitration. Med-arb uses mediation as the first step to resolve the conflict, if mediation does not work they move on to arbitration, while the mediation then arbitration uses both with a different 3rd party for

Mediation happens when a 3rd party comes in and helps improve the relationship, enhances communication, and uses effective problem solving techniques. Administrative or managerial approaches and procedures used if conflict is between employees or members of an organization. The 3rd party, who does is allowed to make a decision is doing the mediation and is allowed to make a decision if need be. This approach reminds me of how the military handles conflict within their ranks. Being in the military I have seen this process conducted, they will allow the parties to try to resolve their own conflict, but if they cannot the authority figure does it for them. Arbitration is a private process still including a 3rd party that helps resolve the conflict. Arbitration comes in two forms med-arb and mediation then arbitration. Med-arb uses mediation as the first step to resolve the conflict, if mediation does not work they move on to arbitration, while the mediation then arbitration uses both with a different 3rd party for

Alternate Dispute Resolutions were developed in response to the expense and difficulty of bringing a lawsuit. Some examples of resolutions are; mediation, arbitration, negotiation, mini-trial, fact-finding and using a judicial referee (pg 59). Even though arbitration is the most common form of resolution, I believe mediation is the best way to reach a settlement for both parties while saving them time and money. This is of course depending on the case.

As litigation continues to be a time-wasting, costly, distracted, and unsatisfactory practice for dispute resolution, alternative dispute resolution increases in popularity, specifically, mediation and arbitration. Arbitration is a cost efficient substitute to litigation that is the yielding of a dispute to an impartial party in order to receive a final incumbent decision in the form of an award. Arbitration is sensitive, classified, and modeled to be a swift, and inexpensive solution to dispute. Participating parties may include additional terms in the agreement identifying arrangements to their agreements’ arbitration clauses to meet the requirements of their discrete dispute. In summation, arbitration is process that is private, speedy, cost efficient, and customized to the liking of the parties involved.

Arbitration can conclude in a binding or a non-binding form depending on the disputing parties. During arbitration, both parties’ representatives/attorneys present their cases before an independent arbiter who would decide on the matter. The decision can then become an official binding agreement between parties and resolve the dispute (United States Office of Personnel Management, n.d). One major advantage to arbitration is the ability to save time and have a decision in a short amount of time relative to litigation. Moreover, in arbitration, the arbiter can be selected to be an expert on the matter at hand and therefore create a more understanding environment (justice.govt.nz, nd). On the other hand, arbitration can bind both parties to the decision where there is no room for an appeal as well as the dependence on the arbiter’s competence at the

Among the five strategies the one I appreciate the most is competition. Competition is useful in other avenues as well as conflict management, such as academics. Although competition does require a loser it does a good job of stimulating teams to put out best efforts. Further, competition saves time when there is a deadline looming. When working in a group conflict is an inevitable matter that one cannot escape, there are varieties of conflicts; ideas, opinions, beliefs, culture differences, and desired accomplishment. Everyone have different ideas and goals in accomplishing their tasks, therefore, it might be difficult to be dealt with amongst one another if they cannot come to an agreement or have an open mind for new things. Conflict in a group could mean that there is a diversity of believes, aims, and ideas. It indicates that team members are contributing their part, sharing their different point of view and trying to make a different. As a manager, one should not look at conflict as a bad thing; instead tolerate minimum conflict in a group as a way of motivation and a development method for improvement or exchanging ideas to reach their goals. However, if conflict increase and cannot be settled in a professional or peaceful manner, as a manager, I would use the collaboration strategy method to help solve the issues. I would start to request each team members to do their own participation and write down their ideas with a

The dynamics of a team relies heavily on the interaction of team members during times of conflict not just during times of agreement. Often groups seek to achieve a cohesive relationship in an effort to unite the team towards its goals. Group members can make the mistake of subverting conflict in an attempt to maintain this team unity. Conflict serves a valuable role in effective group interactions that must be understood by participants of a team. An examination into the characteristics of conflict and cohesion and the relationship between the two dynamics can provide perspective to

In many aspects of our life, it is pervasive to work in a team. No matter in company, school, or another type of team it is necessary to be a part of a team and to achieve a team goal by corporations. People join a team with different personalities, goals, values, beliefs and needs. On the one hand, these differences can be a valuable quality of teams. On the other hand, these same differences inevitably lead to different levels of conflicts as well.

However, eventually both parties are bound to disagree regarding a clause or the collective agreement as a whole, as some clauses can be written in vague language, and interpreting the agreement into a certain situation is not applicable in the full sense, which can also be due to uniqueness of the situation or act. These situation can be difficult to resolve simply between the two parties, and eventually the need for an unbiased and impartial body to decide to how to interpret the rights and clauses to the given situation, and prompt what can be as a fair yet a correct applicability of the clause, it is usually thought in order to get such ruling, the cases are directed toward the courts of law or governmental tribunals. Many organizations and unions will try and avoid to plea their cases to any government affiliated institution and opt out for an arbitrator. Arbitration is a technique used by most unions and organization, it is an option which provide a better benefits in regards to resolve disputes which may include factors such as the duration to which a court or tribunal may reach a verdict may over extend a reasonable time, as courts provide a system to which a judgment can be appealed, which may act as a burden on both unions and organization financially due to the proceeding of the petition, arbitration is a lot quicker regarding rendering a decision, as most of the decision evoked are binding and an appeal process is not available, in addition, some of the

Arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution that aims to solve disputes outside the courts by a third party called arbitrators. The arbitrators review the case facts and evidence and gives out a verdict that is legally binding and therefore enforceable. Both parties agree beforehand to abide by the decision that the arbitrators

The important issue, however, is not whether or not a conflict exists, but how it is handled once it is identified. Conflict can be detrimental to the team effort when it is not addressed quickly, but allowed to grow and widen the gap between those team members whose opinions differ from each other. This tension can lead to decreased productivity and low team spirits, which can negatively affect the entire organization. On the other hand, if conflict is identified and addressed by following a structured process and by involving everyone affected by the conflict, it can result in personal progress for all team members. Another benefit of this progress is the discovery of an actual solution to the initial problem is derived from the conflict.