Dennis Thomas

Conflicts between junior and senior team members can stem from differing perspectives, communication gaps, power dynamics, resistance to change, role confusion, and cultural differences. While often viewed negatively, conflict can be beneficial when approached constructively, as it encourages diverse perspectives, promotes healthy debate, and strengthens relationships. To mediate conflict, a leader should facilitate a meeting for both parties to express their concerns, uncover the root causes through open dialogue, and guide them toward common ground and collaborative solutions. It's essential to set aside egos during this process, as the team's success ultimately outweighs individual opinions.

As leaders, one should have the strength to accept mistakes because no matter how much experience or expertise one has, mistakes can happen that can lead to instances where the team loses trust .To rebuild trust, start by acknowledging concerns & be bold enough to have discussions about them. Clearly communicate your intentions & help the team understand your perspective. Be transparent by sharing relevant information that supports your decisions, and encourage an environment where team members feel safe to voice their concerns. Walk the talk, seek feedback, and invest time in building personal relationships. Finally, have the courage to say sorry. Be accountable and show respect, as you must be the role model in whom the team can believe.

Today, diversity must collaborate to make our world a better place, and our team is a subset of that world. We must ensure that everyone on our team feels valued and motivated. As a leader, it is essential to recognize individual strengths, foster open communication, and encourage collaboration. Promote personalized interactions among team members and offer growth opportunities to enhance engagement while setting clear goals to provide direction. Celebrating successes reinforces contributions, and adapting a servant leadership style helps create an inclusive environment. By implementing these strategies, leaders can cultivate a motivated team that thrives on diversity and collaboration.

Effective communication channels and frequent check-ins are crucial for resolving communication barriers in cross-functional projects. Its important that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined in order to avoid misunderstandings. Promoting informal or candid communication creates a cooperative atmosphere where team members are at ease sharing their ideas and worries. Inter group meetings help make complicated information easier to absorb, and cross-training sessions help participants better understand each other's roles. Collaboration can be further streamlined by promptly resolving disputes. Designate project champions and ensure frequent r&r to keep the teams motivated and take feedbacks.

"You and your team should trust each other. The trust should be so strong that, as a leader, when you tell your team to jump into a well, they wouldn't hesitate.But make sure you also jump with them." One of my ex-bosses told me this. It's important for a leader to show empathy through active listening and to understand the feelings and concerns of the team members. They should feel safe in openly communicating and expressing themselves without fear of judgment. Give recognition and do things to boost morale and help foster a sense of belonging. Be a storyteller by sharing your experiences of overcoming challenges. And finally, keep a smile, have a positive attitude, & give them the feeling that you are there for them & this too shall pass.

One thing I have learnt while having conversation with Senior leaders is that,"Don't be defensive, don't argue and don't cut conversations". Humans are made of emotions and as professionals we need to respect the position.Be calm. It's important to be unbiased. Actively listen to the senior's perspective.Try to identify the cause of the conflict. If the senior is not ready to listen at the moment, be quite, meet after sometime or sent a detailed mail regarding the cause, state the potential resolutions emphasising common goals & interests. Give time and when you get the reply implement an action plan and ensure that commitments are fulfilled. Remember one day you will be in your senior's shoe. So handle the situation gracefully.