Understanding disagreement
Featured in the Developing an Emotionally Intelligent Team training manual
By Mike Bagshaw
Category: Emotional Intelligence
Credit price: 4 download credits (Single user)
A life of peaceful contentment would not be bliss. Discontent has a place, because it demonstrates where things could be improved. People are striving to improve their lot all the time, and it is this that has led to progress over the centuries. Somebody had the idea of rolling heavy objects along on logs. This was better than trying to carry them, but not perfect. So they tried other things, some of which worked and some of which didn’t. Not being satisfied is a spur for change, but we have to state our dissatisfaction. The trouble is, this often brings hostility. The discussion tends to go round in circles, with increasing defensiveness, clever put-downs and attempts to force the issue. Get rid of the hostility, keep the open disagreement and you’ve cleared the way for creative solutions. This sort of conflict is good.
You start the training activity with an exercise in which participants complete a questionnaire giving their views about conflict. They go on to experience ‘managing disagreement’ with a group discussion in which each participant adopts a given approach. Next, you present and discuss the various aspects of team conflict. This includes the advantages of conflict, emphasises the emotional side, and how the metaphors we use for conflict affect how we feel and respond.
Who is it for: This training resource is intended for use by trainers to show participants how to understand the nature and causes of conflict, and to perceive constructively handled disagreement as a source of positive energy.
| Resource Type: | Activity |
| Min Group Size: | 4 |
| Max Group Size: | 12 |
| Typical Duration: | 01:50:00 |
| No of Pages: | 21 |
Resources: View standard resources for Fenman training activities
Additional resources: Thin card and paper glue.
Purpose: This training resource is intended for use by trainers in programmes on building teams, developing teams, communication skills, and conflict management. It is designed for teams which have already developed a sound basis of trust, identity and efficacy.
Download the training activity, Understanding disagreement as featured in the Fenman training manual; Developing an Emotionally Intelligent Team