During Huong’s maternity leave, one of her favorite activities was taking her kid to the library for story circles. At the end of each session, the librarian would unfurl a vibrant cloth in rainbow hues. Each parent would take hold of a different corner, and when they all pulled on their respective corners, a beautiful rainbow fort emerged, delighting all the children and eliciting giggles all around.
This memory resurfaced for Huong recently during a workshop led by Liane Davey on the importance of effectively engaging in conflicts within teams. Contrary to common belief, conflicts don’t have to be detrimental; they can actually foster trust and strengthen relationships. The key factor that makes the difference? A shared purpose. When team members recognize that they are all working towards the same goals, their actions—though they may seem at odds—are actually contributing to the collective effort, much like pulling in opposite directions to create the rainbow fort.
Liane offered a compelling shift in perspective, inviting us to move away from viewing conflicts as a tug-of-war, with winners and losers. Instead, let’s view conflicts as a natural and necessary part of the process when individuals fulfill their responsibilities within the team to achieve a common. Viewing conflict through this lens reframes it as a necessary component of teamwork. After all, every team benefits from diverse perspectives, leading to wiser decisions and more innovative solutions.
So, the next time you find yourself in a conflict, remember to seek out the common purpose—the shared vision that unites you all. Just like building a rainbow fort, it may take time and effort, but the result will be a stronger, more resilient team that thrives on collaboration and embraces the richness of diverse perspectives. After all, creating something beautiful together is always worth the investment. 🌈