My staff bickers constantly. What can I do to encourage cooperation among my team?

There is much today that increases workplace stress, for example, the aftershocks of COVID, holiday seasons, layoffs, and the nature of work itself. We are expected to do more with less money, little time, and fewer resources overall. We are so busy being busy we often don't take time to maintain our work relationships.

I believe that all behavior – even bickering – is purposeful and aimed at helping people get what they want. The solution, then, is to meet with individuals and then the team. In these talks, investigate what staffers want to accomplish with their quarrelling and explain how not getting it is only causing more clashing. Discuss with each staff member the expectations you have of them for their job, including that they will address whatever issues they have with others to keep office squabbles under control. Ask each person what they need from you so you can help them reduce the tension. Call a meeting and clearly state to the group that you want them to work on their individual stressors and develop a way of dealing with them.

Finally, ask them all to create a plan – with your support – to eliminate their frustrations so that they don't interfere with the team's performance. Let your staff know that you expect them to resolve their differences and keep their focus more on performance and less on feuding. E