The Magic of Conflicts

Effectively managing a conflict starts with accurately identifying its source. Leaders who can diagnose issues correctly are better equipped to implement appropriate strategies, fostering a more harmonious and productive research environment.

In my experience, many researchers hope these conflicts will resolve themselves—magically. Unfortunately, they almost never do. Addressing conflicts often lies beyond our comfort zone, in what can be described as our panic zone. If you find yourself in this situation, one long-term strategy is to work on challenges within your stretch zone to expand your comfort zone over time. Growing your comfort zone brings you closer to addressing conflicts with your team, colleagues, or administration. When you’re ready to stretch and tackle a conflict, start by acknowledging the issue. Simply stating, “We have an issue that we need to address,” is the first step. It’s about naming the elephant in the room. More steps will follow, but recognition is the crucial starting point.

Sapienza’s book, Managing Scientists: Leadership Strategies in Scientific Research, discusses the various sources of conflict common in scientific organisations. These sources include:

1. Personality Conflicts: These arise from interpersonal issues, such as colleagues not talking to each other or experiencing interpersonal problems. It’s common in laboratories where different personalities and work styles clash.
2. Group Conflicts: Conflicts among groups, especially those over which one has no direct authority, are challenging. Such disputes often arise from differing group objectives, competition for resources, or contrasting work methods, leading to a lack of coordination and collaboration.
3. Power Asymmetry Conflicts: Power imbalances often lead to conflicts, such as those between junior and senior faculty, postdocs and PIs, or PIs and facility directors. Typical examples include disputes over authorship and limited resources like space and equipment.

Understanding and addressing these sources of conflict can transform a potentially disruptive environment into a more harmonious and productive one.