Teamwork and Conflict Resolution

Teamwork and Conflict Resolution Journal

Self Check

​Consider this...

A person who knows how to work in a team builds trust with others. They keep information confidential, being sure not to gossip. They follow through on tasks assigned to them. They ask for others’ ideas and perspectives and thoughtfully consider all input before making a decision. They communicate with other team members when needed. They seek to resolve conflicts through constructive, creative, and positive behaviors. They reflect on their own behaviors in a problem situation and assume responsibility for their own actions and mistakes.

Open Ended

In your experience, what are three important aspects of teamwork?

Open Ended

How can you tell when a team is not working well together?

Open Ended

What are three things that would escalate a conflict?

Open Ended

What are three ways to resolve a conflict?

Open Ended

How is teamwork and conflict resolution an important part of the workplace?

Case Study

​Carefully read the Case Study, then answer the reflection questions based on what you read

Tehya is a production engineer in a plant that makes tractor parts. She designs, implements, and monitors manufacturing processes at the plant. She reports to the Senior Production Manager.  

Tehya also heads up a team tasked with solving a problem that is occurring with one of the presses. Tehya’s team includes herself, Meira, the floor supervisor, Ulani, the tool room representative, Emma, from quality control, and Rakesh, the machine operator.  Rakesh reports that the normal set-up time should be about 15 minutes on the press, but because of an unknown issue, the machine is out of service for as long as eight hours. This is causing delays in production and pushing deadlines back. Tehya needs to find the issue. Each team member has a different perspective on the problem, but she needs to keep them focused and working together. Ulani is blaming Meira for lack of oversight and Rakesh for inexperience on the press, and Meira says the problem lies with the tool shop. The majority of the team is blaming Emma for inaccurate quality inspections. Emma says the stock coming from the press is out of spec. She claims she wrote that in a report, but no one can find it. Tehya brings the whole team together to get to the root of the problem. Unfortunately, the meeting evolves into arguments and name calling. How can Tehya bring the team together in order to work towards a solution?

Open Ended

Identify the conflict and teamwork problems.

Open Ended

What is the first step Tehya should take?

Open Ended

How can Tehya de-escalate the situation?

Open Ended

What can the other team members do to find a solution to the problem?

Open Ended

What steps can Tehya and her team take to ensure that they work together better as a team?