Coaching in a High Conflict Zone

Agile manifesto

Is conflict good, bad or necessary?

Leas' Level of Conflict Model

• Level 1: We have a problem but we agree to disagree
• Level 2: Focus shifts from solving the problem to caring for myself
• Level 3: You must accept my solution
• Level 4: Get rid of the opposition
• Level 5: Destroy!

Let's talk about it

• What raises the level of conflict?
• What can we do to promote healthy conflict?
• What can we do to address unhealthy conflict?
• Where can we learn more?

What raises level of conflict?

• Us vs. them
• When the discussion or thoughts move to people instead of the problem
• Loss of Safety (Job is threatened)
• Role crossover
• Team operating rules ignored
• History of unhealthy/unresolved conflict
• Short deadlines
• Manager pits team against each other
• Ego

What can we do to promote healthy conflict?

• Align responsibility
• Provide a mechanism to resolve conflict
• Disciplined facilitation
• Encourage healthy communication
• Impact feedback

What can we do to handle unhealthy conflict?

• Facilitation
• Emotional agility
• Check intentions
• Find the motives
• Consensus building
• Powerful questions
• Retrospectives

Where can we go to learn more?

• The Mediation Process: Practical Strategies for Resolving Conflict by Christopher Moore
• The Responsibility Process by Christopher Avery
• Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI)

Thanks to contributions
from participants at Agile Coach Camp Indy 2014

Original pictures at bit.ly/1noGlJo (courtesy of @msilpala)