Conflicts in Meetings
Conflicts in meetings can be very disruptive. But they can also be very helpful. Remember, conflicts are disagreements.
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If the person who is disagreeing with you is raising valid questions, it may benefit the group to address the issues they are presenting. In fact, by listening to them, you may gain valuable insight into what is and what is not working within your organization. However, if the person continues past the point of disagreement to the point of disruptiveness, specific steps should be taken.
Below is a list of conflict resolution tactics that you can use for meetings that get "out of control."
- Find some "grain of truth" in the other person's position that you can build upon.
- Identify areas of agreement in the two positions.
- Defer the subject to later in the meeting to handle.
- Document the subject and set it aside to discuss in the next meeting.
- Ask to speak with the individual after the meeting or during a break.
- See if someone else in the meeting has a response or recommendation.
- Present your view, but do not force agreement. Let things be and go on to the next topic.
- Agree that the person has a valid point and there may be some way to make the situation work for both parties.
- Create a compromise.
Source: Texas Center for Women's Business Enterprise
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6-2. What is a conflict resolution tactic that you can use for meetings that get "out of control?"
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