Teamwork and change: what could we do differently?

This article looks at what we could do differently when faced with workplace and team conflicts. Two models will be discussed: one that aims to help prevent the development of conflicts and the other that uses a partnership approach to resolving them.^1,2

In both models, the aim is to strengthen the relationship between the parties involved so that they can work together to provide better care. This is in contrast to a common perception that conflict resolution is about negotiating hard to get the most we can.

The latter approach is based on a power/coercion model, which results in either a winner and a loser or both parties feeling that they have lost. By aiming instead to build the relationship between interdependent colleagues, we can promote more harmonious working.