- Listen Up
- Find Commonality
- Set Objectives
- Encourage Collaboration
- Decision Time
- Maintain Flexibility
1. Listen Up
To start bridging the divide, actively listen to each team member’s ideas and concerns. Create a safe space where everyone feels valued and heard. This can be done through one-on-one conversations or group discussions where each person has the floor to express their vision without interruption. Acknowledge the strengths in each proposal, and make it clear that every contribution is an important piece of the puzzle. Listening paves the way for mutual respect and opens the door to finding a unified creative direction.
2. Find Commonality
After hearing everyone out, identify the common threads that run through the different visions. There’s often a shared value or goal at the heart of each idea, even if the approaches differ. Highlight these similarities to the team and use them as a foundation to build upon. This not only shows that there is potential for agreement but also reinforces the team’s collective purpose. By focusing on what unites rather than what divides, you can foster a sense of camaraderie and shared mission.
3. Set Objectives
With common ground established, it’s time to set clear, achievable objectives that align with the unified vision. Ensure these objectives are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This clarity will help your team focus their creativity in a direction that serves the project’s end goals. As you define these objectives together, team members will see how their individual contributions fit into the larger picture, which can motivate them to work collaboratively towards these shared milestones.
4. Encourage Collaboration
Encourage your team to collaborate by pairing individuals with differing viewpoints. This can lead to innovative solutions that might not have been discovered in isolation. Facilitate workshops or brainstorming sessions where team members can meld their ideas and create something that incorporates elements from each vision. Collaboration is key to team building and can turn a divided group into a cohesive unit that appreciates the value of diverse perspectives.
5. Decision Time
When it’s time to make decisions, strive for a democratic approach. Allow the team to vote on key aspects of the project or come to a consensus through discussion. It’s important that each member feels their voice has an impact on the final outcome. This sense of ownership and responsibility can drive your team to work harder to see the project succeed. Remember, a decision that everyone can support is far more powerful than one imposed from the top down.
6. Maintain Flexibility
Lastly, maintain flexibility throughout the project. Creative endeavors often evolve, and new ideas may emerge that enhance the original vision. Be open to adjusting plans and objectives as you go, always with the team’s consensus. This adaptability can prevent conflicts from re-emerging and ensures that your team remains united even as the project develops. Flexibility demonstrates to your team that the ultimate goal is not rigid adherence to an idea, but rather the success of the project as a whole.
SOURCE: https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/your-team-divided-creative-visions-how-can-you-unite-0wlqc
