As a result, we tend to avoid disagreements, confrontations, conflict, and attempt to bypass situations where it might arise. The result is that team members may not discover how their differences might complement each other, nor do they overcome conflict with clearer ideas of boundaries and increased trust and cohesion.
Conflict naturally emerges in nearly all groups.
Conflict grows out of differences over valued beliefs, and it can be mild, moderate or severe. Mild to moderate conflict can have a beneficial catalyzing effect on a team by bringing out issues that require discussion, acknowledging real differences, and preventing hidden agendas and subgrouping. Severe conflict can handicap a team, preoccupy group functioning, damage relationships, and seriously impair an organization. Conflict only occurs when such influence does not work, and influence behavior escalates. People also differ in their styles, or the way they tend to understand and deal with situations.