Conflicts and Solutions

No matter how good we are in handling relationships, conflicts are bound to occur sometime in our interpersonal relationships, be it in a group or with another person. Take for a simple example of a team of three wanting to accomplish a task on time. Person A is the leader and he dedicates tasks for person B and C. Some changes then occurred and A wants B to contact C about the changes. However C fails to receive the full changes that happened as we are fully aware of how communications can get distorted at times. This in turn led to C carrying out his tasks in the wrong manner. In the end, the task could not be completed on time, everybody becomes frustrated and the blaming game begins.

Is it the fault of A as he should have ensured that C received the exact message? For all one knows he could have been more assertive and choose to convey the message himself instead of getting someone else to pass it on. Or is B at fault as he failed to pass on the information as accurately and detailed as possible? Perhaps, since he should know the importance of the changes and it would be disastrous if C perceive the changes differently. And can we blame C for the mistake as he failed to check back with A to see what he has received from B is correct? Maybe, since C should know that conveyed messages are usually inaccurate and as a responsible teammate, he should always check back with his leader. But one thing is for sure, we know that the team is unable to complete their task in a timely fashion and has thus, failed.

The gist of the problem that lies within the team is that important house rules for the team are not properly laid down. In this context, proper communication channels should have been decided before the start of the task, since all of us are very much enlightened by how important communication is. House rules are very much important in ensuring that the team works in a cooperative manner. With this in mind, what other house rules are important within a team and how should they be decided?