Transforming Team Conflict Module Summary

Purpose
To provide the tools and skills needed for the constructive resolution of workplace conflicts

Learning Goals
· Practice communication skills that will help team members resolve and manage conflicts
· Lead teams in the creation of a work environment that promotes constructive conflict resolution
· Use a model to coach teams and individuals through the constructive resolution of conflict

Design Concept
Conflict on a rowing crew team

Learning Principles
· Two kinds of conflict: constructive and destructive
· Five conflict styles
· Attributes of a conflict-competent team
· Issues and interests: the what and why of conflict
· Creating lasting agreements

Behavior Model
· Four Steps to Conflict Resolution

Individual and Group Exercises
· Team challenge: The causes of conflict
· Identifying your own conflict style
· Discovering issues and interests
· Assess your team’s conflict competence

Discussion
· Issues and interests worksheet

Case Study/Role Play
· Practice the four step model in groups of four to resolve a conflict in a case study scenario

Speed Bumps
Places to slow down

Action Planning
Create an action plan for resolving team conflict with respect to your own team

Approximate Time Length of Module: 3.0 – 3.5 hours