An interesting research involving 108 managers were carried out to see what they thought was the most likely reason for conflicts at work (Goleman 1995). The following choices were considered:

• Disputes over power
• Personality differences
• Mistrust
• Inept criticism
• Pay

The researchers wanted to know which one of these was seen as the most important reason behind conflicts. The results based on the managers’ past experiences showed that most thought ‘Inept criticism’ was most likely to lead to conflicts.

Knowing how to deliver a criticism is critical and managers and team members alike must be able to deliver correctly to minimise friction within the team and maximise output with minimal effort.