The Why Podcast: Why do teams fall apart – and what can we do about it?

In this episode of The Why Podcast, host Katie Pisa speaks with Professor Randall S Peterson, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School, about one of the most costly, time-consuming, and universal workplace issues: team conflict. Based on his research about conflict 4 Common Types of Team Conflict—and How to Resolve Them, Randall outlines a practical framework for diagnosing and managing interpersonal tensions that derail productivity and damage trust. Most of us avoid conflict, but that can be costly. Studies show managers spend 20% of their time handling tension with teams—yet few have a plan for dealing with it. Listen as Randall unpacks the four most common conflict patterns—solo dissenters, dyadic conflicts, warring factions, and all-out team meltdowns—revealing why each arises, what leaders typically get wrong, and how to tailor conflict-resolution strategies for long-term performance and psychological safety. If you’ve ever walked into a meeting and sensed an invisible storm brewing, or just want to understand more about inevitable conflict that is a part of the working world, this episode is for you. For more thought leadership and business insights from London Business School faculty and alumni, visit  ⁠⁠Think at London Business School⁠⁠  Sign up ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ to receive a curated selection of articles, podcasts and films direct to your inbox twice a month.  Follow us on social media:  ⁠⁠X⁠⁠  ⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠  ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠