The sooner an issue is discussed, the less charged the atmosphere will be, the less entrenched positions will have become and the easier it will be to resolve. Nonviolence It sounds obvious, but aggression can take many subtle forms - abuse of position, mockery, gossip, shouting, offensive language. If someone experiences something as violent, then the cost to the organisation will be just as great regardless of whether or not it seems to fit your definition of violence.
Openness Talking about someone behind their back is powerfully destructive.
Sometimes the group faces an issue where no one within the group is seen as impartial by all sides. It is vital to have a contingency plan for getting an outside mediator, and for everyone to know how and when that plan can be triggered. Rights Although negotiation and mediation is good practice, there are times when it may only perpetuate an injustice. The group needs to be clear what absolute rights its members have, and should firmly uphold those rights. For instance, someone who is racially abused should not be obliged to talk the matter through with the abuser.