How to eliminate artificial harmony at work.

In his seminal book "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team," Patrick Lencioni delves into the complexities that undermine effective teamwork. One of these dysfunctions is "fear of conflict," which often manifests as artificial harmony. This deceptive calm can be detrimental to an organization's health and success. Understanding what artificial harmony looks like and how to eliminate it is crucial for fostering a truly collaborative and innovative work environment.

What Is Artificial Harmony?

Artificial harmony occurs when team members avoid conflict to maintain a facade of agreement and cooperation. This superficial peace often stems from a fear of conflict, where individuals refrain from expressing differing opinions, challenging ideas, or engaging in healthy debates. The result is a seemingly harmonious team that, in reality, suppresses true feelings and ideas, leading to a lack of genuine collaboration and creativity.

Deceptive calm can be detrimental to an organization's health and success.

Characteristics of Artificial Harmony

1. Avoidance of Conflict: Team members shy away from discussions that could lead to disagreements, preferring to keep things "smooth" rather than addressing underlying issues.
2. Surface-Level Agreements: Meetings and discussions end with apparent consensus, but this agreement is often superficial, lacking real commitment or understanding.
3. Unresolved Issues: Problems and concerns are swept under the rug rather than being addressed head-on, leading to a buildup of unresolved issues.
4. Lack of Innovation: Creativity and innovation suffer because new and potentially disruptive ideas are not voiced or explored.
5. Resentment and Frustration: Over time, unspoken disagreements and suppressed ideas can lead to resentment and frustration among team members, damaging morale and trust.

The Impact of Artificial Harmony

Artificial harmony can have several negative consequences on an organization:

• Decreased Trust: When team members do not feel safe to express their true thoughts, trust erodes, and relationships become strained.
• Reduced Engagement: Employees who feel their voices are not heard or valued are likely to disengage, leading to lower productivity and morale.
• Stagnation: Without constructive conflict and debate, teams miss out on the opportunity to refine ideas and innovate, leading to stagnation.
• Ineffective Decision-Making: Decisions made without genuine discussion and critical evaluation are often flawed and less likely to succeed.

Eliminating Artificial Harmony

To overcome artificial harmony, teams need to cultivate an environment where healthy conflict is encouraged and valued. Here are some strategies to achieve this:

1. Foster a Culture of Trust

• Build Relationships: Encourage team members to get to know each other on a personal level to build trust and understanding.
• Lead by Example: Leaders should model vulnerability and openness, demonstrating that it is safe to express differing opinions.

2. Encourage Healthy Conflict

• Normalize Disagreement: Make it clear that disagreements and debates are a natural and necessary part of the decision-making process.
• Facilitate Constructive Debate: Train team members on how to engage in respectful and productive conflict, focusing on issues rather than personal attacks.

3. Create Safe Spaces for Dialogue

• Regular Check-ins: Hold regular meetings specifically designed to surface and address concerns, providing a structured environment for open dialogue.
• Anonymous Feedback: Implement anonymous feedback mechanisms to allow team members to voice concerns without fear of retribution.

4. Emphasize the Value of Diverse Perspectives

• Inclusive Practices: Ensure that all voices are heard, particularly those from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Celebrate Differences: Recognize and celebrate the unique contributions of each team member, reinforcing the idea that diverse perspectives enhance the team's overall performance.

5. Focus on Outcomes, Not Personalities

• Objective Criteria: Base discussions and decisions on objective criteria and data rather than personal opinions or biases.
• Goal Alignment: Ensure that all team members understand and are aligned with the team's goals and objectives, providing a common purpose that transcends individual differences.

Artificial harmony presents a facade of unity and agreement, but it ultimately hinders the growth and success of a team. By fostering a culture of trust, encouraging healthy conflict, creating safe spaces for dialogue, valuing diverse perspectives, and focusing on outcomes, organizations can eliminate artificial harmony and build stronger, more effective teams. Embracing conflict as a tool for growth and innovation is not just beneficial—it is essential for any organization aiming to thrive in a competitive and ever-changing landscape.

Invest in effective team development to empower your team with the courage to call things out and work together for purpose and impact.

The team development and coaching programs from Collective Advantage Australia focus on eliminating artificial harmony. The programs help establish the essential attributes, enabling conditions and effectiveness skills to build better teams and empower them to create greater impact.

Find out more about bringing the Collective Advantage to your team here: https://collectiveadvantage.com.au/home