Three Ways to Handle Conflict on Virtual Teams

Hi, welcome to Stewart Leadership's "Ask a Coach." Today's question: how do I manage conflict within a virtual environment? Great question, and something many of us are working through right now. Three things to keep in mind.

First is to be available and accessible. It is amazing how many conversations that should happen do not. We need to make the time and be accessible to have those conversations, to talk through things. Sometimes, when we cannot see each other as much, we might not think to invite someone to a meeting or to talk it through. It is important to be available and accessible to work through things.

Second, identify what you agree upon: the end state, the final goal that you can reach and conclude together. Then talk about how to achieve it. For example, "We want first and foremost to delight the customer." Great. Now that we have agreed on that, let's talk about how we get there.

And third, approach potentially uncomfortable situations with a spirit of learning and curiosity, instead of a spirit of being right or assigning blame. Keep these three in mind as you deal with potentially conflicting situations. Good luck.