Last updated on Jul 8, 2024

Your team is divided on project approaches. How can you bridge the gap and find common ground?

When you're leading a team, it's not uncommon to find members with differing opinions on how to tackle a project. This can lead to a division that, if not addressed, may hinder progress and affect team morale. As a team manager, your challenge is to bridge this gap and find a common ground that aligns with your project's goals and the team's strengths. This requires a combination of communication, understanding, and strategic thinking to ensure that everyone moves forward together.

1 Listen First

Active listening is the cornerstone of resolving disagreements within your team. Encourage every team member to express their viewpoint without interruption. This not only makes them feel valued but also helps you understand the rationale behind their preferred approaches. By acknowledging their concerns and suggestions, you create an environment of respect. It's essential to listen not just to respond, but to comprehend and consider the viability of each approach.

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Giovanni Sisinna

🌟LinkedIn Top Voice: Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Neural Networks, NLP, LLMs, Portfolio-Program-Project Management, Technological Innovation, Management Consulting🌟AI Advisory-Director Program Management
💡 I believe active listening is crucial for team cohesion. It ensures everyone feels heard and respected, fostering a collaborative environment. 🌟 Value Others Encourage team members to express their views openly. This practice not only makes them feel valued but also enhances mutual understanding. 🔍 Understand Views Listen to comprehend the rationale behind each approach. This helps in evaluating the viability of different options and identifying common ground. 🗣️ Show Respect Acknowledging concerns and suggestions fosters an environment of respect. It’s essential for maintaining a positive and productive team dynamic. 👉 Active listening bridges gaps by promoting understanding and respect, crucial for team success.
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Daniel Alves Dias

Engenheiro de Produção | Gestão da Produção | Gestão Industrial
Quando sua equipe está dividida em abordagens de projeto, encontrar um terreno comum é crucial. Comece por organizar uma reunião onde todos possam expressar suas ideias e preocupações abertamente. Ouça atentamente e valide os pontos de vista de cada um para mostrar que todas as opiniões são valorizadas. Em seguida, identifique os objetivos comuns que todos compartilham e use esses objetivos como base para construir um consenso. Facilite uma discussão que explore soluções compromissadas, onde diferentes abordagens possam ser combinadas de maneira criativa. Mantenha o foco nos objetivos do projeto e no benefício coletivo, incentivando a equipe a trabalhar juntos para alcançar um resultado que todos possam apoiar.

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Samia Boulkertous

retraitée
Écoute active est la première solution et approche à adopter surtout si les potentiels ont des avis et des projets différents l une l autre . Avec Écoute une fenêtre sur les comportements cachés et donne souffle de conversation nettes et positives

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2 Identify Goals

To find common ground, you must first identify the shared goals of the project. Encourage your team to focus on the end objectives rather than the means to get there. This shift in perspective can often reveal that while approaches may differ, the ultimate goals are aligned. By reinforcing the project's aims, you can help team members see beyond their individual preferences and work towards a unified strategy.

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Priyanka Dabas

Senior Leadership | Human Resources
I believe that clarifying roles and responsibilities is the best way to do this. Ensuring that everyone understands their roles and how they contribute to the project's success. have to assign clear responsibilities to avoid overlaps and conflicts.
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3 Explore Options

Once you have a clear understanding of everyone's perspectives and the project's goals, it's time to explore options collaboratively. Facilitate a brainstorming session where all approaches are considered and dissected. This collective exploration can lead to a hybrid strategy that incorporates the best aspects of each suggestion. It's important to remain neutral and guide the discussion in a way that fosters compromise and innovation.

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4 Build Consensus

Building consensus is crucial in team management. After exploring all options, guide your team towards agreeing on a method that combines efficacy with team capabilities. Discuss the pros and cons of each approach and how they align with the project goals. Your role is to help the team understand that compromise doesn't mean giving up on their ideas but rather blending them into a stronger, unified approach.

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5 Implement Decision

After reaching a consensus, it's time to implement the decision. Ensure that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and that each team member understands how their work contributes to the chosen approach. This clarity will help reinforce the decision and maintain commitment. Remember, the way a decision is implemented can be just as important as the decision itself in maintaining team unity and momentum.

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6 Evaluate Progress

Regularly evaluating the progress of the project is vital to maintaining team alignment. Set up milestones to assess the effectiveness of the chosen approach and be open to making adjustments as needed. This ongoing evaluation not only keeps the project on track but also shows your team that their feedback is valued and that you are committed to finding the best path forward together.

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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?

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Team Management

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Your team is divided on project approaches. How can you bridge the gap and find common ground?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Listen First

2 Identify Goals

3 Explore Options

4 Build Consensus

5 Implement Decision

6 Evaluate Progress

7 Here’s what else to consider

Team Management

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Your team is divided on project approaches. How can you bridge the gap and find common ground?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Listen First

2 Identify Goals

3 Explore Options

4 Build Consensus

5 Implement Decision

6 Evaluate Progress

7 Here’s what else to consider

Team Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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