Research tells us that there are three types of conflict:

Task, relationship, and process.

• Task conflict relates to the content and goals of the work.
• Relationship conflict focuses on interpersonal relationships.
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• And process conflict relates to how work gets done.

Conflict is constructive when it improves the quality of decisions, stimulates creativity and innovation, encourages interest and curiosity among group members, provides the medium through which problems can be aired and tensions released, and fosters an environment of self-evaluation and change