When Teams Start Taking Sides
In some workplaces, conflict begins to extend beyond the individuals directly involved.
Colleagues form opinions.
Conversations happen outside of formal settings.
Gradually, the team starts to divide.
What may have started as a specific issue can begin to affect how the entire group interacts.
What Is Often Happening
When teams start taking sides, it is usually a sign that the situation has not been fully addressed or understood.
People may be trying to make sense of what is happening, often based on partial information or personal perspective.
In the absence of a clear and shared understanding, individuals begin to align themselves with:
👉 one perspective
👉 one person
👉 or one interpretation of events
Over time, this creates informal groupings within the team.
What It Looks Like in the Workplace
This dynamic often shows up in subtle ways at first.
Conversations may shift depending on who is present.
Certain individuals may begin to avoid one another.
Informal discussions may increase, while open dialogue becomes more limited.
You may notice:
increased tension in meetings
reduced collaboration across the team
individuals seeking validation from others
a growing sense of “us and them” within the workplace
Why It Becomes Difficult to Shift
Once sides begin to form, the workplace dynamic can become more complex.
People may feel a sense of loyalty to others, making it harder to step back or reconsider their perspective.
Assumptions can become reinforced through repeated conversations.
Trust across the group may begin to erode.
Even when the original issue is addressed, the division within the team can remain.
This is often where the situation begins to feel more entrenched and difficult to resolve.
What Helps Move It Forward
Addressing this dynamic requires creating opportunities for shared understanding.
This may include:
bringing the focus back to the team as a whole
creating structured spaces for open and respectful dialogue
clarifying expectations around communication and workplace behaviour
supporting individuals in engaging more directly and constructively
Facilitated team discussions or mediation can help reduce division and rebuild more consistent ways of working together.
When More Clarity Is Needed
When the situation involves multiple perspectives and unclear or conflicting information, a workplace assessment can help bring a more complete and balanced understanding before moving into action.
👉 Learn more about workplace assessments
Moving Forward
When teams begin to take sides, it can affect trust, collaboration, and overall workplace stability.
With the right approach, it is possible to reduce division, strengthen communication, and support the team in working more effectively together.