Harnessing Conflict to Improve Performance

Recently a team in the National Basketball Association of America suspended a player for having a shouting match on court with the team's coach. Charles Barkley, an analyst with ESPN disagreed with the suspension on the grounds that it as a consensual falling out between two adults. The thought occurred to me that there are times when a little tension in the team dynamic might actually serve to boost performance. And it might not be a positive thing to crack down on every instance of dissension.  

A good leader should be able to ensure conformity and compliance in the pursuit of team goals but must be prepared to handle dissent should it occur. Disagreement might offer a path to refining objectives and strengthen team focus. Handling conflict diplomatically is likely to curb opposition and avoid harmful cliques forming. A leader needs to be able to anticipate the reactions of his team when he chooses to publicly criticise a member. His actions should ideally trigger the reaction he is seeking. The important caution to be bear in mind us not to foster conflict in the group as a means of controlling members but to harness it should it arise. This is a path to achieving compliance on an entirely different level.