Your team is divided on solving a client issue. How do you navigate conflicting views to reach a resolution?

2 Encourage Dialogue

Once you've established a clear understanding of the different viewpoints, foster an open dialogue among team members. This is where your skills in team facilitation shine. Guide the conversation in a way that each member feels heard and valued. Encourage them to explain their reasoning and to consider the perspectives of their colleagues. This can lead to a deeper understanding among team members and can often reveal common ground that might not have been apparent initially.

3 Evaluate Options

With all opinions on the table, work together to evaluate the options. This step requires critical thinking and objectivity. As a facilitator, help your team weigh the pros and cons of each proposed solution. It's essential to keep the client's needs at the forefront of this discussion. Sometimes, this may involve combining elements from different suggestions to create a hybrid solution that satisfies all concerns.

4 Decision Making

Decision making is a pivotal moment in resolving the issue. To aid in this process, consider using decision-making tools such as voting, ranking, or even a pros and cons list. These tools can help structure the decision-making process and ensure that it's democratic and transparent. Your role is to ensure that the decision reflects a collective agreement and that it aligns with the client's best interests.

5 Implement Resolution

After reaching a decision, it's time to implement the resolution. As a team facilitator, you must ensure that each team member understands their role in the implementation process. Clear communication is vital at this stage to avoid any misunderstandings. It's also important to maintain an open line of communication with the client, keeping them informed and involved in the solution that has been developed.