Today's Message

Please join us for the professional development workshop "Facilitating Conflict Resolution," presented by Susan Woods (PDF, 291 KB), managing partner for Henderson Woods LLC, on Thursday, November 14, from 9:00 a.m. to noon in Chase Hall 109.

Understanding how to respond to conflict is essential for leadership, especially when the tension involves others in the department or on a committee. How leaders respond can lead to mutual problem-solving and workplace improvement or to continued antagonism and disruption. Ignoring the tension, taking sides, or imposing a solution can make matters worse. Often leaders find themselves in a position of helping others have the conversation they are not able to have by themselves. This session introduces a common-sense three-phase process for diffusing tension and guiding others in conflict toward mutual solution-finding. We will explore strategies and techniques for leadership’s role in facilitating workplace conflict resolution and maintaining a culture of collegiality.

The session will present a process for facilitating conflict resolution and informal mediation. The design is participatory, combining practical application through the use of case simulations with self-reflective learning. Leaders will be invited to share observations on their experiences facilitating conflict resolution.

Participants will learn to

• use an interest-based, collaborative process to facilitate conflict resolution;
• redirect adversarial conflict to promote mutual solution-finding;
• create safety for dialogue to surface concerns and reveal missing information;
• use questions to move parties in conflict beyond self-focused stories to mutual purpose and mutual respect;
• assist parties in conflict to reframe issues as mutual problem-solving questions;
• recognize and avoid common missteps in facilitating conflict resolution.

Light refreshments will be provided. Please register through the Workshop Registration System.