Put a bunch of different people on the same team and sooner or later they’re bound to rub each other the wrong way. It’s an inevitable problem, but is there a solution? And is it even necessary that everyone on your team likes each other?

Make unity, not likeability your goal

In order to have a good team, unity is necessary, likability is not. That being said, the best teams boast of a variety of individuals capable of co-existing and working together in harmony, despite their differences. Sometimes people don’t see eye-to-eye. Someone may be annoying others on the team. Leaving differences like this unresolved is bad, but conflict in and of itself can be a catalyst for strengthening your team.

Mowing Dandelions

Dealing with surface-level tension instead of dealing with the root of a problem is like mowing dandelions: they’re just going to grow back! It’s essential you teach team members to pinpoint the reason for the dislike. This is because dislike can fester and cause people to treat each other with disrespect. Disrespect suffocates good teamwork, puts up dividing lines, and creates an unpleasant work environment. Eventually, if someone doesn’t step in, dislike spreads like cancer to the rest of the team.

Your team doesn’t all have to be friends, but they need to co-exist without hating one another! Not everyone’s personalities gel, and sometimes people misunderstand each other. But your team needs to act like adults, confront one another, and work through their differences. Whatever the case may be, as soon as you recognize dislike on your team, don’t ignore it. Help your team talk about what’s going on. Or bring in a coach that can lead your team in training exercises and activities to help them recognize and deal with dislike in a healthy manner.