Beyond Conflict Management: Managing Conflict in the Virtual World

Conflict is natural and inevitable in all human systems. Whether at a personal or professional level, conflict can be challenging and detrimental to relationships and productivity. When faced and handled well, however, conflict can be a motor for positive change and a source of creativity and renewal. Our view of conflict determines, to a large extent, whether or not a creative solution will be found. Successful leaders learn to embrace conflict, create a safe space for honest dialogue, and honor diverse views while effectively reaching agreement. This requires understanding the nature and causes of conflict, the ability to recognize interpersonal dynamics, and the skills to facilitate a process that validates each team member’s contribution, interests, and aspirations. While not all differences disappear, conversations and relationships can be transformed so that fear and distrust are replaced with mutual respect, common ground, and self expression.

In this interactive workshop, participants will learn frameworks for assessing real-world conflict situations and skill sets for leading a creative response to conflict. Participants will learn how to leverage conflict so that it can actually bring out the best in everyone and take the group to a new level. This highly participatory session will draw on the fields of conflict resolution and Appreciative Inquiry, blending successful practices from both fields to prepare participants to take immediate positive action to prevent or reduce frustration, promote a culture of cooperation, and maximize the creative potential of the organization.

Topics

• Understanding the nature and causes of conflict
• Recognizing interpersonal dynamics, both positive and negative
• Learning communication patterns, such as the ladder of inference, that can be leveraged to de-escalate destructive conflict.
• The role of the leader in shifting from deliberation or debate to generative dialogue
• Identifying key negotiation strategies that move participants from positions to interests to promote win-win outcomes

Learning Outcomes

As a result of attending this program, participants will:

• Develop a working knowledge of different approaches to conflict and negotiation.
• Identify patterns that hinder communication and discover effective means for making conflict a catalyst for positive change.
• Develop skills and strategies for honoring differences while reaching agreement.
• Learn how to transform conversations into generative dialogue.