Beyond Conflict: Is there such a thing as productive conflict?

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Beyond Conflict How trust and communication can transform conflict into creativity

Transcript of Beyond Conflict: Is there such a thing as productive conflict?

Page 1: Beyond Conflict: Is there such a thing as productive conflict?

Beyond ConflictHow trust and communication can

transform conflict into creativity

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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.

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The Problem

The recipe for creativity contains volatile ingredients:

Risk DisruptionConstraints Contrast

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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

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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

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Conflict

● Authority ● Clarity● One Single Path

MILITARY SOLUTION

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Conflict

● Authority ● Clarity● One Single Path

MILITARY SOLUTION

● Trust ● Communication● Multiple Paths

AYOGO SOLUTION

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<

=CREATIVITY

conflictCOMMUNICATION

& TRUST

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CONFLICT >

=TOXIC WORK

ENVIRONMENT

communication& trust

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Cost of Conflict

● Inefficiency● Absenteeism & Turnover● Theft & Sabotage● Illness● Long-term career development

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Communication

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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

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Entrenched Ideas

Positional Conflict● Overlook shared values● Over-value our own contributions● Ask questions and listen for

contrary data

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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>.

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Exercise: Brainstorm Failure

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Role confusion

Who’s got this?

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Role confusion

SOLUTION: ● Governance ● Clarity over roles & responsibilities● RACI

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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?

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Team Dynamics

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Project Motivators & Priorities

BusinessDevelopment

UX Engineering

Art

Legal

ProjectManagement

Different roles have conflicting motivations and

priorities.

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Project Motivators & Priorities

Clear communication of project priorities

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A classic struggle

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Personality Motivators

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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?”

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Take-aways

Seek permission to give feedback & respect a “no” or “not now”

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Take-aways

Unemotional Feedback This is what I saw. This is how I felt.

This is what I’m asking.

Listen and stay curious.