Create a Common Opposing Force
Group conflict within an organization can be mitigated by focusing attention on a common enemy such as
the competition. For example, two software groups may be vying against each other for marketing dollars,
each wanting to maximize advertising money devoted to their product. But by focusing attention on a
competitor company, the groups may decide to work together to enhance the marketing effectiveness for
the company as a whole. The “enemy” need not be another company—it could be a concept, such as a
recession, that unites previously warring departments to save jobs during a downturn.
Consider Majority Rule
Sometimes a group conflict can be resolved through majority rule. That is, group members take a vote,
and the idea with the most votes is the one that gets implemented. The majority rule approach can work if
the participants feel that the procedure is fair. It is important to keep in mind that this strategy will
become ineffective if used repeatedly with the same members typically winning. Moreover, the approach
should be used sparingly. It should follow a healthy discussion of the issues and points of contention, not
be a substitute for that discussion.
