CONSTRUCTIVE CONFLICT

Many people see conflict as negative and miss the opportunity to harness the energy it contains for honesty, strengthening relationships, and positive change. When we try to completely avoid conflict, we often get the results we feared the conflict would lead to in the first place (isolation, things getting worse, hurt feelings, etc.) When we bully our way into conflict, we get the same.

Conflict skills CAN be learned. We can improve how we listen, how we think, and how we speak. When we do, we:

enhance the creativity and engagement of individuals and teams
unlock group think
create safety (paradoxically)
encourage innovation

Well-handled conflict becomes a rich resource of learning and and forward movement. CourageWork uses an integrated approach, including ideas from:
– Stone, Patton, and Heen in Difficult Conversations
– Patterson, Grenny, McMilan and Switzler in Crucial Conversations
– Barry Johnson in Polarity Management
– William Bridges in Transitions
– Michelle LeBaron’s in Bridging Cultural Conflicts
– Rick Maurer in Beyond the Wall of Resistance
– Marshall Rosenberg Non-Violent Communication
– Teleometrics Conflict Management Survey
– Michelle LeBaron Bridging Cultural Conflicts

To learn more about these books and resources, check out the resources page.