If the conflict continues and you’ve tried all of the above, there is one more trick I keep up my sleeve. Ask the opposing members to argue each other’s case. A walk in each other’s shoes forces them to see the bigger picture and will encourage empathy and a strong urge to solve the issues together. It might even generate new ideas since the issues are being approached with different perspectives.

Laugh

Humor has been one of the world’s best tension breakers since early civilization. If team conflict has gotten out of hand, consider an icebreaker before tackling the issue at hand. One quick team-building exercise that can bring some laughs into the room is the “nickname” roundtable. Everyone goes around the room or takes a turn on a conference call and discloses their funniest nickname.

Now you have a few tips to try on your team and see what garners the best results. You’ll be surprised how minor changes can have a big impact. Who knows you may find yourself singing: “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding?”

Michelle LaBrosse, PMP, is the founder of Cheetah Learning, and author of Cheetah Negotiations and Cheetah Project Management. The Project Management Institute, www.pmi.org, recently selected Michelle as one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Project Management in the World, and only one of two women selected from the training and education industry. Her articles have appeared in over 100 publications around the world.