Five steps to preventing conflict on teams

There is no shortage of things that cause stress these days, and as we go back to the office unaddressed tensions within teams can sap productivity at work. Many leaders make the mistake of addressing tensions as they surface, but it can be hard to undo a negative relationship between coworkers. A far more effective strategy is to lead teams proactively to form bonds and prevent negative undercurrents from developing into waves of discontent.

If you act in the early stages of team’s existence, you can help proactively keep them on track to form stronger bonds and foster a positive atmosphere. There is a five-step process that can help you do this.

One of the first steps you can take is to lead discussions by posing questions that help team members analyze their own…