Intervening in Conflict with Competence and Confidence: Developing Skills for Conflict Management and Resolution

November 2–5, 2010 Greater Boston Area, site to be announced

Overview

The organization of today is more complex than ever. Technology has increased people’s capacity to transfer information rapidly and decreased their interpersonal skills in communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution; and our organizations have a broader reach with increasing numbers of people working together without being co-located.

In addition:

there is an increasing focus cross-functional interdependence, global interfaces, international markets, multi-cultural teams, and stakeholder involvement;
organizations of all kinds and sizes have moved away from hierarchical structures to flatter models, both matrix and consensus;
we have experienced a shift from traditional "directive" styles to employee "empowerment;” and meanwhile,
teams, groups, and task forces are increasingly central elements in organizational life for creating programs and products, assessing stakeholder demands, determining direction, planning, analysis, problem solving, developing curriculums, and increasing capacity.

In our experience, organizations and individuals seem to be both more conflict averse, and also more prone to conflict as within groups, teams, and organizational units, and between them, there is competition for resources, influence, control, and authority. High-performing teams, by their very interactive nature, produce high degrees of conflict as members push for the best ideas, decisions and solutions. This is particularly true among teams of equals. Greater employee and stakeholder participation has increased the need for conflict management skills in role clarification, decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving.

Organizations and individuals need strategies to functionally negotiate and manage through conflict rather than through the arbitrary use of power and authority. Individuals who are able to mediate and facilitate in such circumstances can play an important role in helping people in conflict to adopt a more collaborative win/win approach to their differences. Professionals able to provide effective intervention and mediation are at a premium.

Objectives

The purpose of this workshop is to increase the skills and ability of participants to work with individuals or groups in conflict, particularly in the function of third-party mediators or “peacemakers." Specifically, participants will:
Learn a practical, step-by-step, integrated model for intervening in conflict situations and guiding people in conflict to a satisfactory outcome;
Understand more about the nature of conflict — between individuals and between groups — and learn the key factors operative in different types of conflict;
Learn the key steps for working effectively with conflicted groups or individuals;
Practice the elements of third-party consultation through role plays, case studies and direct application of the model to develop specific skills and techniques.
Examine their personal orientation to conflict and its impact on consulting effectiveness and intervention style;
Receive timely reflective feedback on their consultation, the appropriateness of their chosen intervention and their impact.

Target Audience: Internal or External Organization Consultants, Human Resources Professionals, Individual and Team Coaches, Mediators, Trainers, Leaders, and Managers

Staff: Chuck Phillips and Jan Williams

Workshop Dates for 2010 include: November 2–5 in the Greater Boston Area. More details on specific sites to be announced.

Tuition: $1800.00 including workshop notebook, daily continental breakfasts, lunches, and breaks. Two participants from the same organization will receive a 10% discount. Three or more receive a 15% discount. Individuals who sign up for two or more workshops received same the percentage discount.

Early bird registration $1650.00 for registration prior to September 15. Larger discounts available for ODN members. Please contact us.

Sign Up Here or for questions go to Contact Us on this Website or contact us directly: or .