APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions, plus try our money-saving tips.
Here, Karren gives advice to a manager who wants to create a harmonious work environment.
Q: Help, my team won’t stop bickering like schoolkids!
I manage 10 people of different levels and seniority, and am really keen on creating a harmonious work environment where everyone gets on well, and have even organised staff nights out to help with this.
However, a couple of my team members have been arguing a lot for the past three months over seemingly petty things.
One of them came to me with a complaint about the other a few weeks ago, and I’ve tried to speak to them both individually, but the situation seems to be getting worse, not better!
It’s all quite he-said-she-said, and it’s starting to affect the whole team — as well as taking up loads of my time.
Do you have any advice?
Jo, via email
A: Managing conflict is challenging, but it’s necessary to take a firm stance, especially when it affects work dynamics and output.
Organise a team meeting to address the situation.
Set a positive tone by highlighting the importance of mutual respect, professionalism and collaboration.
Frame it as a chance for everyone to reset and focus on collective goals, emphasising the negative impact the arguing is having on the team.
Conflict often arises when roles are unclear or when accountability is lacking, so clarify everyone’s responsibilities to eliminate tension caused by overlapping duties.
Be assertive and set boundaries.
While fostering a harmonious workplace is essential, make it clear that continued disruptions are unacceptable and will have consequences.
Communicate this to the whole team and to the individuals involved in the arguments.
If the issues can’t be resolved, you may need to move towards a team restructure and/or disciplinary action.
