Notes

The Pure Power Of Positive Conflict
Sad but true - life within the cube is usually seen as a strife. Negative conflict, whether based on interpersonal differences or political maneuvering, abounds. Ironically, for organizations to step-up and reach their potential they require more conflict, not less. Here's the hook - we'd like more positive conflict and fewer negative conflict. Negative conflict is overly emotional, usually unnecessarily personal, and according to opinions and bad assumptions. Negative conflict, unsurprisingly, is practically never linked to positive outcomes at work. Positive conflict is much more honestly rational than emotional, usually determined by real issues not interpersonal differences, and rooted in objective facts. Want real innovation and improvement? You need three things: more positive conflict (and much less negative conflict), better conflict management skills inside organization, plus a solid "no jerk" rule.
More positive and much less negative conflict
These are separate but closely related ideas. Let's start using the negative. If you're a leader and also you genuinely worry about improving your group and organization, to any extent further you personally shoulder the responsibility to onsite visit - in real time, promptly - all clear installments of unproductive negative conflict. See it, help and discuss it, and clearly state to the people involved why this is an illustration of unproductive negative conflict that can not be an integral part of our work culture continue. Be kind, be positive, be of use - yes, but take action. If you see the installments of ugly negative conflict pop-up and you also relax to manage it, you do not have a very work place competent at capitalizing on positive conflict. Assuming negative examples are in check, positive conflict is principled debating, questioning of assumptions, fact based sparring. As a leader, you encourage and facilitate this positive and aggressive kind of dialogue. Don't forget - you have to be questioned too, your comments are not against the rules when it's time and energy to end up in debate mode.
Hone those conflict management skills
If the aim is always to maximize the contribution of positive conflict, you will need to arm your team to properly deal with positive conflict. There are Business dispute mediation and internal approaches, but the point is easy: everybody is not naturally wired to effectively navigate conflict filled situations. The good news is these are skills which can be quickly acquired. Training of this sort will increase your team's capacity to keep conversations positive and fact-based, to onsite visit unacceptable emotional levels, to identify and prioritize whether a certain problem is definitely worth the effort required for positive conflict, to obtain the correct people involved in the conversation, specify tactics for safely asserting one's point as well as honestly validating others' points, etc. For well chosen employees, a short time spent working through these tactics via reading, discussions and experiential activities will pay huge dividends on your team.
No jerks allowed
It is, however, not just about your team - it's about you. Any time allowing several people to significantly and/or persistently deviate from your major behavioral norm (like shunning negative conflict in order to build positive conflict), you've wasted all of your effort. When principled members of your team watch you permit a few individuals carry on and engage in negative conflict without any consequences, you're toast. If you want to be serious, you can not play favorites or turn away from conflict. The rule must be clear and respected by all - no jerks allowed. Negative emotions spread just like a virus at work. One lone jerk, able to be described as a jerk anytime, will spoil the morale in a very group quickly.
In short, for a moment strongly encourage your direct reports to begin with enforcing the ban on negative conflict, find some resources to aid the complete group build some tried and tested conflict management skills, and if you personally will model the right behaviors by not allowing any jerks to flourish, you will possess made great strides towards realizing the pure power of positive conflict to your organization.
My Website: https://www.bridgemediation.com.au/our-people