COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT
Positive Ways to Deal with Conflict

• Are you trying to create a positive, empowered culture and having problems?
• In resolving conflicts effectively?
• In getting staff to reach consensus on a solution to a shared problem?
• In managing conflict as a "Positive Force" for problem solving?

In today's competitive environment, many organizations are trying to create empowered and self-motivated employees. Managers and employees alike are being called upon to interact with a broad spectrum of people both inside and outside the organization. In order to do so, they must manage conflict as a necessary and integral part of effective problem solving discussions. Most conflict difficulties come from the approach used rather than the issue itself. Does that sound like your organization?

Take a few moments to consider an effective new process designed to help you improve your conflict resolution skills, entitled "Communication and Conflict - Positive Ways to Deal With Conflict" by Dave Neely of D.K. Neely and Associates... a must for organizations who are concerned about using healthy conflict as an engine for excellence.

Prerequisite Process - For an intact team or a mixed group

1. Administer an anonymous fax-back survey and/or on-site interviews, together with a DISC/Value assessment.

A Typical 2 Day Process

Day One

1. Introduction - Purpose, Products, Process and Ground Rules
2. What is conflict?
           - Why does it occur?
           - When is it Healthy versus Destructive?
3. Exercise # 1 - Identification of personal conflict situations within the group
4. Video - Joel Barker's "Paradigm Principles"
5. Experiential Exercise - The Tennis Ball Game
6. The Performance STAR - Root causes of many conflicts
7. Communication - Barriers to Communication
           - Listening and Questioning Skills
           - DISC Model of Four Behaviour Styles
           - Individual Analysis
           - Six Basic Values
           - Individual Analysis
8. Adapting to other styles
9. Exercise # 2 - What can we do better?

Day Two

1. Review - Conflicts arising from DISC/Value differences
2. The three types of conflict
3. Exercise # 3 - Conflict modes worksheet / Case study discussions
           - Completing the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument
4. Video - "Dealing with Conflict"
           - Five Conflict Positions
           - Scoring the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument
5. Tools for reaching the Collaborating Mode
6. Exercise # 4 - Generic Case Study Application / Organizational Conflict
           - Group Discussion
7. Exercise # 5 - Application to your Personal Conflict Situation
8. Conflict Summary and Review
           - The Performance Star/Giving Feedback
           - Overuse/Under use of the 5 Conflict Modes
           - How can we reduce conflict as a proactive measure?
           - When do you want to involve a third party in a conflict situation?
9. Exercise # 6 - What can we do better?
10. Optional Role-plays - Bringing it all together
11. Summary and Action Plan - Creating a Committed Path Forward

Expected Outcomes
You will be better prepared to handle the process of natural conflict and to have more flexible approaches in dealing with those conflicts that arise. You will have more healthy conflict and more effective problem solving discussions both at work and at home.

back to TOP