Let’s be real: not all teams are sunshine and snuggly puppies. A few years ago, two team members at my clinic were at each other’s throats. The tension was affecting everyone-clients noticed, doctors got frustrated, and techs started picking sides. The team culture was tanking right before my eyes.
Here’s how I handled it (and what I learned the hard way):
- I didn’t ignore it. -The biggest mistake? Hoping it would blow over. It won’t. Address it early
- I met with them separately-then together. Getting their stories first helped me understand the real issue (which wasn’t what I thought).
- I focused on behaviors, not personalities. “You roll your eyes in team meetings” is better than “You’re disrespectful.”
- I coached, not punished. -We worked on expectations, not blame. They didn’t have to like each other-but they had to work together.
- I followed up. -One conversation doesn’t fix a fractured team. I kept checking in, and the change stuck.
Lesson learned: Conflict isn’t the enemy-avoidance is.