Post on 15-Feb-2017
Beyond ConflictHow trust and communication can
transform conflict into creativity
Why are we here?
This is not a reaction to any particular event!
This was inspired by a meetup by a third party about creative conflict that was a bit of a fail. We thought we could do better.We’re here to share experiences, tips, and ways to embrace conflict as an intrinsic part of the creative process.
The Problem
The recipe for creativity contains volatile ingredients:
Risk DisruptionConstraints Contrast
The ProblemThe recipe for conflict is surprisingly similar! According to the United States Marines, this friction stems from:
● uncertainty● stress ● disorder ● opposing wills
http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCDP%201%20Warfighting.pdf
The ProblemThe recipe for conflict is surprisingly similar! According to the United States Marines, this friction stems from:
● uncertainty = risk● stress = constraints● disorder = disruption● opposing wills = contrast
http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCDP%201%20Warfighting.pdf
Conflict
● Authority ● Clarity● One Single Path
MILITARY SOLUTION
Conflict
● Authority ● Clarity● One Single Path
MILITARY SOLUTION
● Trust ● Communication● Multiple Paths
AYOGO SOLUTION
<
=CREATIVITY
conflictCOMMUNICATION
& TRUST
CONFLICT >
=TOXIC WORK
ENVIRONMENT
communication& trust
Cost of Conflict
● Inefficiency● Absenteeism & Turnover● Theft & Sabotage● Illness● Long-term career development
Communication
Ladder of Inference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9nFhs5W8o8
Climbing down takes
● Self-awareness: assumptions & filters● Curiosity: what else could be going on?● Break the recursive loop, where my
actions are based on my assumptions
Entrenched Ideas
Positional Conflict● Overlook shared values● Over-value our own contributions● Ask questions and listen for
contrary data
Ways to Get Beyond Win/Lose Brainstorm: lots of ideas, no editing/criticism
Nominal Group Technique: define problem, privately develop solutions, discuss & clarify each, privately vote
Affinity Grouping: take brainstorm or nominal group ideas, and group.
Delphi Technique: uses questionnaires (no face-to-face); iterative, leads to consensus
Consensus Mapping: use Affinity and Straw Man (On one hand, <my opinion> but on the other hand <the opposite>.
Exercise: Brainstorm Failure
Role confusion
Who’s got this?
Role confusion
SOLUTION: ● Governance ● Clarity over roles & responsibilities● RACI
RACI Matrix● Who is responsible for doing
the work? (Always have an R)
● Who signs off as ‘done’ and is accountable up the ladder?
● Who is a SME or has strategic insight can be consulted?
● What Stakeholders shouldn`t wait until the end to be informed?
Team Dynamics
Project Motivators & Priorities
BusinessDevelopment
UX Engineering
Art
Legal
ProjectManagement
Different roles have conflicting motivations and
priorities.
Project Motivators & Priorities
Clear communication of project priorities
A classic struggle
Personality Motivators
Personality-based Motivators
Analytic - motivated by truth, abstract ideas Process - motivated by social & assisting others Resourceful - motivated by movement, resultsConservative - motivated by structure, principals, tradition
“What turns their crank?”
Take-aways
Seek permission to give feedback & respect a “no” or “not now”
Take-aways
Unemotional Feedback This is what I saw. This is how I felt.
This is what I’m asking.
Listen and stay curious.