Question

Take a look at the variables of group communication: conflict, conformity, and consensus. Is there such a thing as healthy conflict? When is conflict in a team good, and how should a team avoid personal conflict?

Answer 1

Conflict is a clash or discord between individuals due to a disagreement.

Conformity is attitudes and behaviors of the individuals thats goes in compliance or adherence to some set rules or norms.

Consensus is the general agreement that occurs among the individuals regarding an issue.

Those disagreements or clash that prevents a team against group thinking, conforming and coming to consensus, but leads to critical thinking, to have open communication and to come up with creative ideas for solution of the issue is a healthy conflict.

A team can avoid personal conflict by respecting each others different views or perspectives, by having discussions based on facts than assumptions, by focusing on goals of the team, and by avoiding the emotions to rule the interactions with the team mates. Thus, the team that is able to prevent negative conflict is a good team.