My team keeps bickering like schoolchildren, how do I create harmony?

APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady answers your career questions and try our money-saving tips.

Here, Karren gives advice to a manager who wants to create a harmonious work environment.

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Q: Help, my team won’t stop bickering like schoolchildren!

I manage 10 people with different levels and seniority, and I really want to create a harmonious working environment where everyone gets along well. I have even organized staff evenings to help with this.

However, a few of my team members have been arguing a lot over the past three months over seemingly trivial things.

One of them came to me a few weeks ago with a complaint about the other, and I’ve tried talking to both of them individually, but the situation seems to be getting worse, not better!

It’s all quite he-said-she-said, and it’s starting to affect the whole team – and it’s taking up a lot of my time too.

Do you have any advice?

Jo, via email

A: Dealing with conflict is challenging, but it is necessary to take a strong stand, especially if it affects work dynamics and results.

Organize a team meeting to discuss the situation.

Set a positive tone by emphasizing the importance of mutual respect, professionalism and collaboration.

Consider it an opportunity for everyone to reset and focus on collective goals, highlighting the negative impact the argument is having on the team.

Conflict often arises when roles are unclear or when responsibility is lacking. So make sure everyone’s responsibilities are clear to remove tensions caused by overlapping tasks.

Be assertive and set boundaries.

While promoting a harmonious workplace is essential, make it clear that continued disruption is unacceptable and will have consequences.

Communicate this to the entire team and to the individuals involved in the arguments.

If the issues cannot be resolved, you may need to resort to team restructuring and/or disciplinary action.

• Do you have a career question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk.