Conflict Prevention & Resolution

Managed well, conflict can be a positive force for productivity and creativity. Handled poorly, it can cause irreparable damage to personal & professional relationships; cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost productivity, absenteeism, related health issues or, in extreme cases, litigation; and much more.

As the saying goes: “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” We offer a number of options to deal with difficult situations including Training, Coaching, Facilitation, Mediation, and Team/Group Intervention:

Conflict coaching: Clients work one-on-one with one of our coaching experts. You decide the goal, with input from the coach. Most appropriate when:

  • you want to handle a situation by yourself, but you need some guidance or feedback on the approach;
  • you want to prepare for going into a “difficult conversation” to increase your chances of a positive outcome;
  • you want to develop some new skills so that you can prevent a difficult situation from happening in the first place; or
  • you want to improve your skills so that you can better navigate an existing situation.

Facilitation

Typically used when there is disagreement or a low level conflict between individuals or within a team or group, and the assistance of a third-party is needed to aid communication. A facilitator helps those involved have more productive conversations that stay focused on the issues at hand.

Mediation

Used when there are high levels of conflict involved, including challenging emotional content, unpleasant or unresolved history, power struggles, and/or trust issues between individuals or a small group. The process typically starts with a confidentiality agreement and ends with a written agreement of resolution or settlement. Participants retain control over the content and the outcome, while the mediator ensures that the process is followed and in a safe and supportive environment.

Team/Group Intervention

When high-performing teams or groups experience dysfunction, they ideally stop to assess the situation and fix it before it gets worse. However, the relentless pace of work, coupled with insufficient coping mechanisms, often means that it gets put on the back burner, making things worse in the long run. We work with groups and teams at any stage of formation or any level of dysfunction so that the end result is a conflict-free, high-functioning and harmonious team.