Teamwork & Conflict Resolution — Field Experience BHS

Real Workplace Scenario

You're two weeks into your placement. You're working on a project with two coworkers. One person keeps making decisions without asking the rest of the team. The other has barely contributed anything. Your supervisor expects the finished project by Friday. It's Wednesday.

What do you do?

Why This Skill Matters

86%

of workplace failures are caused by poor collaboration and communication — not technical mistakes

skill employers say new hires are missing, across every industry

Every

job involves working with other humans. There are no solo careers.

What This Skill Actually Is

Teamwork is working effectively with others toward a shared goal — contributing your part, supporting others' contributions, and adapting your approach to fit the people you're working with.

Conflict resolution is the ability to address disagreements directly and professionally — not by avoiding them, exploding, or going around people. It means staying focused on the problem, not the person, and finding solutions you can both live with.

The Illinois Framework says it this way:

"Work smoothly with others to complete assignments and achieve mutual goals. Use appropriate strategies when dealing with interpersonal conflicts to maintain a smooth workflow."

Activity 1 Scenario — Choose Your Response

The Group Chat Criticism

A coworker sends a message in the group chat saying your section of the shared project looks "sloppy and unprofessional." You put a lot of effort into it. You feel defensive. What do you do?

Activity 2 Written Response

The Disagreement

You and a teammate have fundamentally different ideas about how to approach a task your supervisor assigned. Your supervisor says you need to figure it out between yourselves. In 3–5 sentences, describe exactly what you would say to your teammate to move toward a solution without damaging the working relationship.

Strong responses stay focused on the task (not the person), acknowledge the other viewpoint, and propose a concrete next step.

Where Are You Right Now?

Read each level honestly. Circle the one that best describes your current behavior — not your ideal self, your actual self.

Developing

Tends to avoid conflict or handles it emotionally. Struggles to contribute consistently in group settings. May dominate or check out depending on mood.

Approaching

Participates in team work but may disengage when conflict arises. Sometimes addresses issues directly, sometimes avoids them. Inconsistent contribution.

Meeting Expectations

Consistently contributes to team goals. Addresses conflict directly and professionally — focused on the problem, not the person. Adapts communication style to different teammates.

Exceeding Expectations

Proactively notices team dynamics and adjusts. Mediates conflict between others when needed. Leverages diverse perspectives to strengthen team outcomes. Others rely on you in difficult moments.

Mark This Skill Complete

Submit your reflection to notify your teacher you've completed this module.

YOUR NAME

PERIOD

REFLECTION — Think about the opening scenario. Now that you've worked through this module, what would you actually do in that situation? Rate yourself on the rubric (1–4) and explain why.

A Google Form will open in a new tab to confirm your submission.

All Skills Next: Communication