Last updated on Jul 15, 2024

Leaders in your innovation project are clashing. How will you navigate the power struggles?

Navigating power struggles within an innovation project is a delicate task that requires astute leadership and strategic thinking. When leaders clash, it can lead to a toxic environment, stifle creativity, and ultimately derail the project. Your role is not just to mediate, but to turn these conflicts into constructive debates that can propel the project forward. Understanding the underlying issues, leveraging the strengths of each leader, and fostering a culture of collaboration are key to overcoming these challenges. By addressing power struggles head-on, you can ensure that your innovation project remains on track and that the team works cohesively towards a common goal.

1 Identify Issues

The first step in resolving leadership clashes is to identify the root causes of the conflict. This involves listening to each leader's perspective and pinpointing the specific issues that are leading to the power struggle. It could be a clash of egos, differing visions for the project, or competition for resources. By understanding what's fueling the discord, you can address these issues directly and work towards a resolution. Remember, your goal is to promote dialogue and find common ground, not to choose sides.

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Pradeep Tater

CFO | Strategic Finance Leader | Commercial Finance Director | FP&A | Financial Controller | Business Partnering | Strategic Cost Management | Business Transformation | Financial Services | Technology | Fintech |
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Tensions and power struggles among leadership team is very common. This is a natural part of any strategic project, but it is important that we address and manage these conflicts constructively to ensure our collective success. Below are some steps to navigate these challenges: 1. Open Communication: example, Regular check-ins and meetings 2. Clear Roles and Responsibilities 3. Collaborative Decision-Making: By involving all leaders in the process, leverage the diverse perspectives and arrive at the best possible solutions for the project. 4. Conflict Resolution Mechanism: In case of disagreements, implement a conflict resolution mechanism to address and resolve issues. 5. Focus on Common Goals 6. Mutual Respect and Support

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John Turley

Mediator and Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist
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It is important to uncover the personal, business, and unmet needs afoot. All decisions are personal, which makes it important to get to the root causes of the dispute. The clash of egos can lead toward "expanding the pie" of options. Actively listen to the differing POVs to bring more creative ideas to the surface.

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2 Set Boundaries

Once the issues are laid bare, it’s crucial to establish clear boundaries and roles within the team. This helps in delineating responsibilities and reducing overlap that often leads to friction among leaders. Make sure that each leader understands their domain and respects the boundaries of others. Clear communication on what is expected from each person can prevent misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is working towards the same objectives with a shared sense of purpose.

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John Turley

Mediator and Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist
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Within the boundaries, it is important that the parties listen to each other actively. In mediation, people express their delight that they are being heard for the first time by the other party. Getting things off one's chest is an important benefit of ADR via active engagement and listening.

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3 Promote Dialogue

Promoting open dialogue is essential in resolving power struggles. Encourage leaders to express their thoughts and concerns in a constructive manner. Facilitating regular meetings where all parties can discuss their ideas and differences openly can help in fostering understanding. It's important that these discussions are structured and focused on finding solutions rather than dwelling on the conflict. A culture of open communication can lead to innovative solutions that might not have been discovered otherwise.

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John Turley

Mediator and Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist
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Creativity springs forth when participants are engaged in open dialogue accompanied by active listening and feedback. When more viable options arise, the project becomes more robust, leading toward a stronger solution. The greatest need is to be heard and acknowledged. If this does not happen, resentment, an unnecessary condition, arises to the team's detriment. It is difficult to ignore since resentment festers.

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4 Leverage Strengths

Each leader brings unique strengths and perspectives to the table. Recognize and leverage these diverse talents by assigning tasks that play to each leader's strengths. This not only boosts confidence but also demonstrates the value of each individual's contribution to the project. By focusing on what each leader does best, you can improve team dynamics and productivity, turning potential conflict into a powerful driver of innovation.

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5 Foster Collaboration

Building a collaborative environment is key to mitigating power struggles. Encourage team-building activities and create opportunities for leaders to work together on aspects of the project. This can help in breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of camaraderie. By working collaboratively, leaders can see how their combined efforts lead to better outcomes than when they work in isolation or in opposition to one another.

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Johannes Antoni

Senior Innovation Consultant | Ex-BCG
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Encouraging shared leadership within the team can significantly enhance collaboration. By rotating leadership roles on different project aspects, team members can develop mutual respect and a deeper understanding of each other’s strengths, ultimately fostering a more cohesive and collaborative environment.

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6 Reflect and Adapt

Finally, take time to reflect on what's working and what isn't. Be willing to adapt your strategies if certain approaches to resolving power struggles are not effective. Continuous reflection and adaptation are part of the innovation process itself. This may involve revisiting team roles, communication strategies, or conflict resolution processes. By being flexible and responsive to the dynamics of your team, you can navigate through power struggles more effectively.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Leaders in your innovation project are clashing. How will you navigate the power struggles?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify Issues

2 Set Boundaries

3 Promote Dialogue

4 Leverage Strengths

5 Foster Collaboration

6 Reflect and Adapt

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Innovation

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Leaders in your innovation project are clashing. How will you navigate the power struggles?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify Issues

2 Set Boundaries

3 Promote Dialogue

4 Leverage Strengths

5 Foster Collaboration

6 Reflect and Adapt

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Innovation

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