Team building

Teamwork concept. Halftone hands holding the word Team.

Modern Twists on Traditional Team Building

April 14, 2025

Reconnecting as a team doesn’t have to mean the same old activities – by rethinking traditional team building, you can create a fresh, inclusive approach keep reading

Conflict is inevitable in any workplace, but with the right strategies in place, organisations can turn these challenges into opportunities for growth, collaboration and stronger team dynamics CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on MTD Training Effective conflict resolution is essential for maintaining a healthy and productive workplace. By fostering a culture of collaboration and understanding, teams can work through disagreements constructively. This not only strengthens interpersonal relationships but also enhances overall team performance. Here are some strategies to encourage positive conflict resolution and create a more cohesive work environment. Encouraging Team Activities Regular team-building exercises are an effective way to strengthen interpersonal relationships, making it easier to resolve conflicts and fostering greater collaboration. Activities like collaborative problem-solving games encourage teams to work together to tackle challenging puzzles or scenarios, promoting cooperation and shared decision-making. Communication workshops, which focus on active listening, non-verbal cues and clear communication, further enhance mutual understanding and improve team dynamics. These exercises collectively boost group coherence, making it easier to navigate conflicts and improve overall teamwork. Recognising Positive Resolution Recognising and rewarding employees who handle conflicts constructively can inspire others to adopt similar approaches. Additionally, rewarding teams that successfully navigate conflict, especially during periods of change, reinforces a positive organisational culture. Team outings and social celebrations are great ways to acknowledge their resilience and dedication during challenging times. Public recognition or even small incentives can further emphasise the importance of positive conflict management, helping to embed these behaviours into the fabric of the organisation. Encouraging Empathy Empathy plays a crucial role in conflict resolution by enabling individuals to understand and appreciate the perspectives of others. When team members actively practice empathy, they are better equipped to recognise each other's needs, concerns and emotions, which fosters a more supportive and cooperative work environment. This understanding helps to de-escalate tension and paves the way for more thoughtful and compassionate solutions to conflicts. One effective way to cultivate empathy within teams is through workplace shadowing. By allowing employees to experience each other's roles firsthand, they gain a deeper insight into the challenges and responsibilities their colleagues face daily. This not only broadens their understanding but also highlights any barriers or difficulties that may be contributing to workplace friction. Using a Mediator When conflicts become too challenging to resolve within the team, bringing in a neutral third party, like a mediator, can help steer the conversation towards a productive outcome. Mediators play an important role by guiding discussions objectively, ensuring that both parties are heard and working towards a fair resolution. This is particularly valuable in situations where personal animosities arise or in more complex scenarios like redundancies and other significant organisational changes. Their expertise helps manage sensitive issues and fosters a collaborative environment for resolution. By encouraging team activities, recognising positive conflict resolution, promoting empathy and using mediators, when necessary, organisations can build stronger, more collaborative teams. These practices help create a supportive work environment where conflicts are resolved constructively, leading to improved teamwork and productivity.

Four Ways to Encourage Positive Conflict Resolution

February 18, 2025

Conflict is inevitable in any workplace, but with the right strategies in place, organisations can turn these challenges into opportunities for growth, collaboration and stronger keep reading

The hands of a group of people each point

Workplace politics: Lessons learnt post-election

October 15, 2024

In many workplaces, there’s a common belief that personal politics should be ‘left at the door.’ However, in today’s increasingly political world, how realistic is keep reading

Leading with emotional intelligence

July 2, 2024

Effective leadership goes beyond just managing tasks and projects. It involves understanding and empathising with employees’ needs, motivations, and challenges. In this article, we explore keep reading

Wellness activities for team building

February 9, 2023

When organisations prioritise wellbeing, employees are more likely to actively engage with work and boost general productivity CREDIT: This is an edited version of an keep reading

Seven new work team-building exercises to try!

August 22, 2022

Some team-building ideas to add to your repertoire to help cultivate team morale and develop employees’ interpersonal skills CREDIT: This is an edited version of an keep reading

A team lifting blocks that say 'teamwork' and handing them to one another

Service improvement and change: it’s the simple things that get in the way – part one

July 5, 2021

Valerie Amie and Giles Kingsley-Pallant, PCC associates, describe how to use the BECKS model to deal with the dynamics of your team. How can practices keep reading

Building a resilient team

May 26, 2021

Sudden changes and added pressures at work – such as those we’ve seen during the pandemic – can prevent employees from doing their best work. keep reading

How to keep your team motivated

May 7, 2021

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on Management Today What do you believe about the people you manage? Are keep reading

Leadership in a crisis

March 15, 2021

Helen Northall, chief executive PCC, discusses how to lead your team in challenging times It feels as if health and care leaders have been working keep reading