Your remote executive team is divided on strategic direction. How will you navigate conflicting viewpoints?

1 Listen First

Active listening is the cornerstone of conflict resolution. When your remote executive team presents diverse viewpoints, your first step is to listen intently. Create a safe space for each team member to express their thoughts without interruption. This demonstrates respect for their expertise and shows that you value their contributions. By understanding the rationale behind each perspective, you can identify common ground and areas of compromise. Remember, listening is not just waiting for your turn to speak; it's about genuinely trying to understand the other person's point of view.

2 Assess Options

Once you've gathered all viewpoints, it's time to assess the options on the table. Evaluate each proposed strategic direction based on its merits, potential risks, and alignment with the organization's long-term vision. Encourage your team to consider the impact of each option from multiple angles, including financial, operational, and cultural perspectives. This thorough analysis will not only help in making an informed decision but also ensure that team members feel their opinions are taken seriously, thereby reducing resistance to the chosen path.

3 Build Consensus

Building consensus doesn't mean seeking unanimous agreement on every detail. Rather, it's about reaching a collective decision that everyone can support. To achieve this, facilitate discussions that encourage compromise and collaboration. Highlight the shared goals that underpin the various viewpoints and use these as a foundation to build a unified strategy. Sometimes, this may involve blending elements from different proposals to create a hybrid solution that satisfies the core objectives of the team.

4 Make Decisions

Decision-making in a divided team requires a delicate balance between assertiveness and empathy. Once all opinions have been considered and the options thoroughly assessed, you must be prepared to make a decision. This decision should be communicated clearly, outlining how it reflects the input received and the overall strategic goals of the organization. It's important to explain the rationale behind the decision to ensure team members understand how their contributions influenced the outcome.

5 Implement Strategically

With a decision in place, focus on strategic implementation. This involves creating a detailed action plan that assigns responsibilities and sets timelines. Ensure that each team member understands their role in executing the strategy and has the resources they need to succeed. Effective communication is crucial during this stage; regular updates and check-ins will help maintain momentum and address any concerns that arise as the strategy is put into action.

6 Reflect and Adapt

Finally, it's essential to reflect on the decision-making process and adapt for the future. After implementing the strategy, gather feedback from your team to understand what worked well and what could be improved. This reflection is not just about evaluating the outcome but also about assessing how the team worked together to resolve the conflict. Use these insights to refine your approach to managing disagreements, ensuring that your executive team becomes more cohesive and effective over time.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?