Skillful Conflict Management for Leaders Winter 2012

Experienced leaders understand that conflict is a natural part of working with others. They learn and put into practice effective strategies for managing conflict that include:

• Understanding their personal conflict style
• Managing their own conflicts effectively
• Addressing others' conflicts appropriately and in a timely matter
• Encouraging creative tension and differences of opinion
• Drawing on principles and skills in negotiation and mediation when required

As a leader, it is important to understand conflict and be effective at conflict management because the way conflict is resolved becomes an integral component of our university culture.

Avoidance or ineffective conflict management can lead to low morale and energy and can eventually impact on the health of employees and the organization; skillful conflict management can lead to a workplace that encourages people to express their differences, challenge ideas respectfully and promote a dynamic environment that is reflective, innovative and willing to change and adapt when required.

This program is for individuals in a management or supervisory position and consists of a one day session that combines the introduction of new concepts, tools and skill development with interactive activities and opportunities to collaborate with university colleagues.

Program Focus

• A positive Perspective on Conflict - Access fascinating and practical research and tools to deepen your understanding of the interpersonal dynamics of conflict in the workplace. Explore your own attitudes toward conflict and your preferred style of managing conflict. Consider potential sources of conflict in the workplace and how to encourage healthy conflict and discourage damaging conflict.
• Effective response to Conflict - Learn how to distinguish between a natural response to conflict and a chosen response. Develop your ability to differentiate between the symptoms and the source of conflict and learn various modes of dispute resolution.
• Collaborative Communication and Making a Conflict Action Plan - Learn the value of finding solutions to conflict which fully satisfy the concerns of both persons. Discover a protocol of communication ground rules that facilitate Collaborative Conflict Resolution, and a process within which to apply them.

Instructor: Jackie Lauer, Axletree Consulting Inc.