Behavioral Challenges in Group Setting

Groups contain different people with different personalities and behaviors within that particular setting. As a result, disagreements can be common as every person wants to share their ideas and influence others into developing ways of thinking that are similar to their own. Conflict can be important for groups if the members find ways of discussing non-defensively on a particular point and determine the possibility of alternative solutions. Conflict can be a suitable method of reflecting on issues and developing focus on the objectives of the group. However, conflict can become a major challenge when the discussions and comments become personal. These comments can be aimed at specific individuals or toward a particular group of individuals within that group setting. This is to the detriment of the group as discussions become subjective with each member attempting to defend their positions and ideas (Barsade, 2002). Conflict can become a major challenge because the person expressing it may be doing it indirectly, leading to the long-term relations of the members being strained. Hostility by members may come in the form of sarcasm, unreasonable jokes and remarks that negatively affect the morale and commitment of others in the group. Members can react to conflict by deliberately missing group sessions, becoming detached from others or openly expressing their annoyance and boredom (Barsade, 2002). It has a huge effect on the group as the members become unable to move forward as a single unit aiming to accomplish their goals. The group leader can address this challenge of conflict by requesting other members to inform the individual how they feel with the hostile person and what they would like the hostile person to do differently. The group leader may then discuss with the hostile person and find out what they want from the group. The person in conflict with others should be encouraged to express their views in a positive manner with the rest of the group, failure to which the person should be required to discuss the issues with the leader away from the group. Ultimately, the whole group should be involved in the discussion to determine how the person in conflict can engage more positively with the rest of the group.