Conflict Management

We mediate organizational conflicts by helping individuals and groups identify problems, clarify perspectives and concerns, develop viable options, and reach mutually satisfying and durable agreements. We teach communication skills and provide opportunities to try on new attitudes and behaviors to build people’s experience and confidence, so that future differences can be engaged constructively. Drawing on a national network of colleagues in conflict resolution, we can also assemble a team with content expertise in your area when this is important.

What are the benefits of interest-based approaches to the prevention and resolution of conflict?

A focus on problem-solving rather than placing blame shifts unhealthy and destructive ways of dealing with conflict toward opportunities for reconciliation, and the discovery of new solutions. Developing systems and skills in interest-based problem-solving throughout an organization helps prevent conflict that wears people out and is costly. When these can be established before a crisis happens, or the work environment has deteriorated due to longstanding unaddressed conflicts, then difficulties can be resolved through more informal channels and relationships are more likely to be preserved. Even when conflict is entrenched, mediation can often be effective, but more formal methods along a spectrum of dispute resolution options may also need to be part of a solution.