Intra and Inter Team Conflict

Strong teams use difference to unite, weaker teams let it divide

Intra and Inter Team Conflict is extensive within the NHS, occurring mainly through a long standing lack of investment in the areas necessary to prevent it and enhance team performance. What do we mean by the terms:

Intra Team Conflict

Intra team conflict is conflict occurring within a team, largely arising out of a lack of understanding or management of difference, coupled to high pressured environments that make difference more difficult to cope with.

Go to this section

Inter Team Conflict

Inter team conflict is where one team, department or directorate develops a conflicting relationship with another team, department or directorate. It can occur for many reasons but the two commonest are 1.) arises out of fundamental differences between core value sets leading to markedly difference working practices, and 2.) develops as a result of competition for resources.

Go to this section

Cautionary Note

Even though conflict may be deemed to be at the team level, it is often interpersonal in nature. It is important to review the section on individual conflict to fully understand this area.