At the Top

Noel B. Lagaras
Discussant
 Objectives
1. Identify and Address Common Sources
of Conflict within Teams
2. Define Team, Team Building and Team
building at the top
3. Understand the Importance of Conflict
Resolution in Team Building at the Top
Conflict is an inevitable
aspect of human interaction, and
it is no different when it comes
to team dynamics. In
fact, conflicts within a team can
arise due to a variety of reasons,
such as differences in opinions,
varying work styles, or even
personal clashes.
 Identifying and Addressing Common Sources of
Conflict within Teams
Conflicts within teams are inevitable and can
arise from a variety of sources. By identifying
and addressing these common sources of
conflict, teams can proactively work towards
effective resolution and create a more
harmonious working environment.
 Differences in Communication Styles
Communication is key to effective
teamwork, but it can also be a
significant source of conflict.
Individuals within a team may
have different communication
styles, leading to
misunderstandings and
misinterpretations.
 Role Ambiguity
When team members are
unclear about their roles and
responsibilities, conflicts can
arise. For instance, if two team
members believe they are
responsible for a particular
task, it can lead to confusion
and frustration. am member.
arise.
Differences in Values and Perspectives

Teams are often composed of

individuals with diverse
backgrounds, experiences, and
beliefs. While this diversity can
bring valuable perspectives and
ideas, it can also lead to
conflicts if not managed
effectively.
 Conflict of Interest
Conflicts of interest can occur
when team members have
different priorities or personal
agendas. For example, one
team member may be focused
on completing a project
quickly, while another may
prioritize thoroughness and
precision.
 Lack of Trust

Trust is the foundation of any

successful team, and its absence
can lead to conflicts and
breakdowns in communication.
One of the primary
reasons conflict resolution is
essential in team building:
-it promotes open communication
-members can express their
concerns
-needs, and perspectives
-finding common ground.
What is a TEAM?
What is a Team Building?
Team building involves a wide
range of activities, designed for
improving team performance. Its
aim is to bring out the best in a team
to ensure self development, positive
communication, leadership skills
and the ability to work closely
together as a team to problem solve
(Fapohunda, 2013).
What is a Team Building?
Team building doesn't just mean getting the team
together. It is more than generic activities
imposed upon teams without any real
consideration for what the team wants or needs.
It is necessary to take into account specific issues
that need to be addressed and the sorts or
personalities involved in the team (Dianna, 2006)
TEAM BUILDING AT THE TOP?
Refers to the process of
fostering strong teamwork and
collaboration among the
leadership or top-level
executives within an
organization. It focuses on
enhancing the relationships,
communication, and cohesion
among key decision-makers and
leaders at the highest levels of
management.
 IMPORTANCE OF TEAM
BUILDING AT THE TOP
-Recognizes the importance
of a cohesive leadership.
-Involves activities,
-Exercises,
-Initiatives that are
specifically designed to
strengthen the bonds and
alignment among top-level
executives.
The Goal Of Team Building At The Top
1. Create a shared vision
2. Build trust,
3. Improve communication, and
enhance decision-making
processes among the leadership
team.
4. It helps to align the leaders'
values, goals, and strategies.
5. Fostering a collaborative and
supportive environment where
they can work together
effectively.
Why is it Important?
Alignment
Top-level team building
ensures that all members are
aligned with the
organization's mission, vision,
and strategic goals. When
leaders are on the same page,
they can steer the company in
a unified direction.
 Why is it Important?
Improved Decision Making
Effective team building fosters
an environment where diverse
perspectives are valued and
respected. This diversity of
thought leads to better decision-
making processes as multiple
viewpoints are considered before
reaching conclusions.
Why is it Important?
Enhanced Communication
Building strong relationships
among top-level executives
promotes open communication
channels. This transparency
fosters trust and encourages team
members to share ideas, concerns,
and feedback more freely.
Why is it Important?
Increased Productivity
A cohesive senior management
team can more efficiently
allocate resources, set
priorities, and execute
strategies. This synergy results
in increased productivity and
better overall performance for
the organization.
Why is it Important?
Risk Mitigation
Strong leadership teams are
better equipped to identify and
mitigate risks effectively. By
leveraging the collective
expertise of its members, the
team can anticipate challenges
and develop proactive solutions.
.
Why is it Important?
Succession Planning
Investing in team building at the
top helps identify potential
leaders within the organization
and prepares them for future
leadership roles. This ensures a
smooth transition of leadership
and continuity in strategic
direction.
Why is it Important?
Employee Engagement
When employees see strong
leadership cohesion, it boosts
their confidence in the
organization's direction and
fosters a sense of belonging.
Engaged employees are more
likely to be motivated, productive,
and committed to achieving the
company's objectives.
Overall, team building
at the top is an essential
component of
organizational
development, as it
focuses on
strengthening the
leadership team's
ability to work together
cohesively and
How to Implement Team Building
at the Top?
Define Clear Objectives
Start by defining the
objectives and desired
outcomes of the team
building efforts.
Understanding what you
aim to achieve will guide
the selection of activities
and interventions.
 How to Implement Team Building
at the Top?
Assess Team Dynamics
Conduct assessments to
identify strengths, weaknesses,
and areas for improvement
within the senior management
team. This could include
personality assessments, 360-
degree feedback, or team
effectiveness surveys.
 How to Implement Team Building at
the Top?
Facilitate Open
Communication
Create opportunities for open
and honest communication
among team members.
Encourage active listening,
constructive feedback, and
respectful dialogue to foster trust
and collaboration.
How to Implement Team Building
at the Top?
Provide Development
Opportunities
Offer professional development
opportunities tailored to the
needs of individual team
members and the collective
team. This could include
leadership workshops, executive
coaching, or team retreats.
 How to Implement Team Building
at the Top?

Promote Collaboration
Foster a collaborative
environment where team members
actively support and collaborate
with each other to achieve
common goals. Encourage cross-
functional teamwork and shared
accountability for results.
Conflict-resolution Activities To Embrace
Personality Differences

1. Play Guess What? with your team

Get to know your teammates better and
learn to accept each other for who you
really are. Guess What? is our all-time
favorite game! The participants guess
personal and work-related facts about
each other to bond.

The outcome: gain a new perspective

on your colleagues outside of the
conflict.
Conflict-resolution Activities To Embrace
Personality Differences

2. Take a personality test

You may go ahead and find out what
your tea preferences reveal about your
personality. There's no harm in that. In
fact, it might be a fun team building
exercise. Yet, for more serious results,
consider investing in professional
personality tests designed for work.
The outcome: understand what drives
your coworkers and what the most
effective models of cooperation for them
are.
Conflict-resolution Activities To Embrace
Personality Differences

3. Bond over non-work-related events

One of the best ways to prevent
workplace conflict from repeating is to
get to know each other as people, not
just as colleagues. Try participating in
after-hours like culinary
workshops, wine tasting, or scavenger
hunts.
• The outcome: feel like a team outside
of the office and nurture friendship.
Conflict-resolution Activities To Embrace
Personality Differences

4. Find common ground

One of the keys to practical problem-
solving is learning to see that among all
the differences, there are still values you
share. Play a simple conflict-resolution
team building game, where each player
needs to find at least one interest in
common with other participants.

• The outcome: learn to search for

similarities, not differences.
Conflict-resolution activities to promote empathy among senior management

Take an empathy training

Team leads have to understand the
struggles their team is facing.
That's why organizing an event led
by a professional coach may be
your best bet to promote
empathetic management.
The outcome: resolve conflicts
with a wellness-first workplace
environment.
 Conflict-resolution activities to promote empathy among senior management

Disagree without debating

This simple yet effective team building

activity for senior management is a
conversation that encourages sharing. You
need to ensure it is done in a safe space and
your team feels comfortable with sharing
their point of view. Each participant gets to
tell their story, emotions, and impressions.
Meanwhile, the group needs to be
supportive and free of judgment, even if
they were affected by the event.
Remember: conflicts are
natural, and finding the right
resolution paths
is exemplary leadership. As
long as the team is interested
in seeing the common
ground, workplace conflict
can be a real blessing in
disguise.
Question: Test Yourself
1. In what ways does prioritizing team-building
activities at the executive level lead to greater
resilience and adaptability in navigating complex
challenges and changes in the working
environment?
2. How can top-level team-building strategies be
tailored to accommodate diverse perspectives and
personalities, maximizing the potential for creative
problem-solving and synergy among senior leaders?
3. Using the Gibbs Model, share about your
experience on a particular conflict you had
encountered in your working environment.
*Gibbs model will guide you in writing the process on
the entire experience.
 References
• 9 Conflict-Resolution Team Building Activities [Science-Backed] (goma
da.co)
• CONFLICT%20TEST%20YOURSELF/FULLTEXT01.pdf
• 25 Best Team Building Companies For 2024 👫 (snacknation.com)