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Moving from Conflict to CollaborationUsing the Apter toolkit to get teams working together
I was called to facilitate a session to bring two teams from Engineering companies together and resolve ongoing conflict. CompanyA was the prime supplier to an Airframe manufacturer and CompanyB was their delivery partner. The project was plagued with historical issues, which were a sourced of ongoing tension. The CEO of the end customer was piling on the pressure, increasing reporting requirements and escalating issues to executive leadership.
The process
1. Each team had the opportunity to get their issues out on the table, without response.
2. Then, each team summarised the issues that had been presented to them by the other. The aim of this was to ensure that both teams fully understood the other’s perspective.
3. We then spent some time unlocking the issues and understanding what was actually happening to cause the conflict, from a motivational and emotional perspective.
4. When I was satisfied that both teams had a shared understanding appreciation of the problem we were ready to start solving it.
Getting the issues on the table
CompanyA’s perspective:• You have a lack of customer focus• You are underperforming in key areas• There is a lack of transparency in your approach, especially
to planning
CompanyB’s perspective:• We are don’t feel trusted• We’re suffering commercially (and don’t think this is
appreciated)• We’re overwhelmed by a lack of prioritisation (on your
part) and inefficiency in the programme
Ⓒ 8Connect Consulting Ltd & Apter Solutions 2019 | [email protected]
The issues presented showed that the teams had completely different perspectives on the situation. This reflected the lack of optimism expressed before the workshop!
Much was also made of cultural differences before the event, the two teams being from Germany and France. However, I emphasised that while we can’t manage the culture we come from we can manage our motivations and behaviours.
Rob Robson8Connect Consulting
Getting off the Hamster WheelThe programme director of CompanyB used the metaphor of a hamster wheel to explain how it felt doing more and more but seeing no change. It also signified the negative cycle driving both teams.
We explored what was happening in terms of motivation and emotion, to try and find a way to break that cycle. This interaction between the two programme managers typified the relationship.
Ⓒ 8Connect Consulting Ltd & Apter Solutions 2019 | [email protected]
CompanyA
Receives demand from the customer.Anxious to please and a little humiliated / powerless to fix the issue, he ”passes it on” to Company B
Considers the impact on his team and company (profitability). Feels guilty and argues against the request.
When his protests fall on deaf ears he becomes resentful and withdraws. His response is perceived as hostile and his failure to comply continues the cycle.
Under stress, playing the project manager becomes intransigent and judgmental. His attempts to exert further control are perceived as arrogant.
CompanyB
Solution: Defining 3 Levels of Collaboration1. Recommitting to a common goal
We all agreed that the goal of the programme needed to be clarified. Initially, both teams defined it narrowly around delivering the client’s requirements at lowest cost.
However, I believed that this narrow goal was part of the problem. After some challenging, both teams broadened the goal to include “while protecting our people and our future working relationship”.
2. Identifying the ‘spirit of working together’
With this goal in mind, the teams collaborated to define the core principles, or ‘spirit’, of working together.
Most importantly these included making decisions with the whole programme in mind (not just narrow interests), keeping the past in the past, and striving to help each other.
3. Agreeing specific behavioural actions
This step took two stages.
First, and similarly to the exploration of the issues, each team articulated its requests of the other.
Secondly, these requests, which included aspects of communication, planning and prioritisation, were negotiated and a join action plan agreed.
Ⓒ 8Connect Consulting Ltd & Apter Solutions 2019 | [email protected]
The importance of shared understanding
At the end of the process, many of the requests that each team had of the other, were similar or ‘two sides of the same coin’.
Although many of the actions were predictable enough, the real result was that they were fully agreed upon and committed to.
Both teams acknowledged that their substantial progress over two days represented the start of a process of working together more effectively, not an end point.
However, from a facilitator’s perspective the process did not always feel smooth but it was important to hang and resist the temptation to move to action before both teams were ready.
The Apter Emotivation Toolkit
Based on Reversal Theory and the research of Michael Apter and colleagues, the Apter Toolkit focuses on the interplay between motivations and emotions as dynamic aspects of human personality and experience. Specifically, it proposes eight motivational styles, organised into four oppositional pairs which we switch or ‘reverse’ between. As our motivations change, so do our emotions.
The toolkit includes:• The Apter Motivational Styles Inventory• Emotivation Coaching Card Game• 360° Leadership Inventory• Real-Time Climate Tool
Ⓒ 8Connect Consulting Ltd & Apter Solutions 2019 | [email protected]
Serious
Playful
Rebellious
Self
Other
Sympathy Mastery
ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS
Delayed
Immediate
Time
time
RULES RULES
Fit in Oppose
Take
Give
interest
support support
Care ControlFREEDOM
ACHIEVEMENT
ENJOYMENT
INDIVIDUALISM
COLLECTIVISM
HARMONY POWER
8 Ways of Being
17
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH WORK CLIMATE?LEARN MORE ABOUT THE APTER TOOLKIT
www.8connectpeople.com/apter-solutions [email protected]
www.aptersolutions.com [email protected]
The Apter Toolkit also includes:
The Emotivation coaching cardsThe Individual Inventory Emotivations & Performances
The 360° Inventory Emotivations & Performances
The Climate of Performance Inventory
For more information about our products and certification training:To learn more about our products and certification training:www.8connectpeople.com/[email protected]
17
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH WORK CLIMATE?LEARN MORE ABOUT THE APTER TOOLKIT
www.8connectpeople.com/apter-solutions [email protected]
www.aptersolutions.com [email protected]
The Apter Toolkit also includes:
The Emotivation coaching cardsThe Individual Inventory Emotivations & Performances
The 360° Inventory Emotivations & Performances
The Climate of Performance Inventory
For more information about our products and certification training:
