You're at odds with your team on the animation project's direction. How do you find common ground?

1 Listen First

In any team conflict, the first step towards resolution is to actively listen to each team member's perspective. As an animator, you know that every detail contributes to the project's overall success. By giving your teammates the floor to express their concerns and ideas without interruption, you foster an environment of respect. This can lead to a deeper understanding of where they're coming from and may reveal insights that could benefit the project's direction.

2 Communicate Clearly

Once you've listened to your team members, it's crucial to articulate your own perspective clearly. Animation is a field where vision and detail are paramount, and being able to communicate your ideas effectively is as important as the ideas themselves. Use specific examples from the project to illustrate your points, ensuring that your suggestions for the project's direction are understood as you intended.

3 Identify Goals

Finding common ground often involves going back to the basics. Discuss the core goals of the animation project with your team. What is the project trying to achieve? Who is the target audience? By aligning on the fundamental objectives, you can start to build a shared vision that accommodates different viewpoints but serves the primary purpose of the project.

4 Explore Alternatives

Sometimes the best solution is a blend of ideas. Explore alternative approaches to the animation project that might incorporate elements from each team member's vision. This could involve brainstorming sessions where creativity is encouraged and all suggestions are considered. The animation field thrives on innovation, so an open-minded approach could lead to a unique and effective direction for the project.

5 Compromise Wisely

In the world of animation, compromise doesn't mean settling for less—it means finding the best possible solution that satisfies the most important needs of the project and the team. When you're at odds, look for ways to merge ideas that maintain the project's integrity and appeal to the audience while also respecting the creative input of your teammates.

6 Move Forward

Once common ground has been established, it's important to move forward with a unified plan. Set clear milestones and delegate tasks based on each team member's strengths. This not only ensures that the animation project progresses smoothly but also helps maintain the collaborative spirit that was fostered through finding common ground.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?