Great Informaton! A Question...

by Charlene Love
(Atlanta Georgia)

What do you do when conflict arises in the middle of a meeting? I was not the facilitator. The meeting stopped because 2 people could not stop arguing. I may encounter one of the people again and would like to know what I can do to make the situation better? Thanks.

Thank you for spending time at Wake Up Eager and for your question @ conflict.

I don't know all the facts @ this situation, but it's this type of challenge (arguing out of control) that makes having Code of Conduct Guidelines that everyone agrees to, in place BEFORE the meeting starts.

I know you were not the facilitator in that meeting, but maybe you can suggest, for the next meeting, that these get agreed upon first. Here's that link to more info about that in this article, Why I Hate Meetings...

Productive conflict and honest discussions are good on all teams. Direct conversations can get all the issues and underlying thoughts on the table. But when it turns into a heated debate, with no end in sight - well then the meetings disrupted, which is what happened in this meeting.

If that conflict is an ongoing issue, I would recommend that someone use the conflict process in the videos to help these two work out their differences. Unfortunately this stuff runs unchecked and dampens work environments and productivity everywhere.

On the written article about resolving conflict, found here I talk about using this process with 'Ben' and 'Kevin' two top executives who were at war with each other. They were having heated and unchecked debates at every meeting. It was killing the company and the morale.

It was only when they decided to take personal responsibility, manage their own behaviors and go through this type of conflict resolution process, did they put their issues to rest, and start again.

So, my long-winded answer is: get meeting guidelines in place. Also, if it continues, get someone (yourself, their leader or a facilitator) to work with these two... Also, one other thought, there are some great step-by-step team building activities and exercises that a team can use to build trust and improve communication. Those exercises may also be a resource for you and your team.

Wake Up Eager Readers Share Your Suggestions & Comments: What suggestions would you add? What tips and ideas have YOU used that you can share with Charlene?

Thanks again Charlene for participating in the Wake Up Eager Community.

All the Best, and More!
Suzie