Coaching for Conflict Competence
Leaders who strive for competency in areas such as conflict management know how costly disputes are to their organizations. They also know how much time, effort and energy they expend to prevent and resolve disputes in the workplace. Whether it involves them or is between/among their staff, effective leaders are conscious that conflict poisons the environment and has an adverse impact on productivity, morale, their own professional standing and the organization’s reputation.
CINERGY’s™ comprehensive and multi-faceted program on Coaching for Conflict Competence provides a unique model aimed at providing various mechanisms for managing conflict effectively and productively. The main objectives are for leaders to:
- learn how to view conflict as an opportunity to strengthen working relationships
- improve their competency in conflict management
- gain insights into their responses to conflict and how others perceive them
- examine what “triggers” conflict for them
- identify the challenges in handling disputes
- learning how to analyze disputes and try new methods for preventing and resolving them
- learn about a unique approach to prepare for and deal with conflictual situations
- learn methods for developing mutually satisfactory and durable solutions
Various Approaches
Through one-on-one conflict coaching, a conflict management workshop and follow-up to these modalities (or any variation of them) participants examine conflict in reflective and instructive ways. Each forum builds on the skill base and knowledge required for effective conflict management.
One-on-One Coaching
In this module, participants partner with a conflict coach for a pre-arranged number of sessions. Coaching may be done by telephone or in person. Coaching sessions are aimed at facilitating discussions about the themes and impact of conflict for that individual and the types of skills and knowledge that each wants to develop, in order to enhance their ability to manage conflict.
Participants complete the Conflict Dynamics Profile™ prior to beginning the one-on-one coaching. Among other things, this 360° assessment tool provides participants with insights into the way they respond to conflict. Through dialogue, “real” plays and other methods, participants make shifts in their approach to conflict that reflect increased insight and knowledge into their particular responses and conflict management style. Between coaching sessions, participants complete fieldwork to help further their goals and apply the principles learned.
Outcomes for participants
In the one-on-one coaching process, participants:
- identify their responses to conflict before, during and after conflict
- examine the challenges for them in dealing with conflict and identify the areas they want to improve
- gain insights into the types of conflicts that have the most impact on them
- consider ways to address the adverse impact of conflict
- begin to explore how to analyze a particular (type of) dispute
- gain support and feedback in their upward learning curve
Conflict Management Workshop
Subsequent to one-on-one coaching, participants may engage in a three-day highly interactive workshop which builds on their skill base and insights in order to further enhance their abilities to manage conflict. Exercises, group discussions, case studies, role plays and individual dispute analysis are used to help participants deconstruct disputes and experiment with alternative methods to replace habitual conflict behaviours. Communication and languaging skills form part of the workshop module.
Note: Workshops may be done in three consecutive days or in various sequences, depending on the workplace. A popular choice is a two plus one format (two consecutive days followed by a one day program after four to six weeks).
Outcomes for participants
In the workshop, participants:
- gain theoretical and practical knowledge about conflict management
- apply conflict management skills by using various interactive and experiential formats
- examine what precipitates conflict for them and how to effectively deal with the emotional impact
- consider how to approach conflict in different ways
- apply tools and skills that help achieve insights and positive shifts in their conflict management skills
- provide and gain the support of colleagues in their professional growth
Follow-up
Too often, people learn theory and practice skills in workshops, but do not have a way to check out the application and any related concerns. The skill base and knowledge for approaching conflict is enhanced in practice when participants have the opportunity to be coached, to check out their experiences and to continue to learn, through follow up mechanisms.
Follow-up to the one-on-one coaching and workshop may take different forms, depending on the individual participants or the group. This may include more one-on-one conflict coaching, group telecoaching, group meetings, coaching workshop, etc. Whatever the format, follow up is a crucial part of the CINERGY™ Coaching for Conflict Competence program.
Outcomes for participants
Follow-up with one-on-one coaching, workshops, group meetings or other methods provide participants with:
- a way to further feedback to assist ongoing learning, as experiences occur
- a forum for sharing and helping colleagues through peer coaching
- an opportunity to continue to improve skills
- the chance to obtain further assistance and pass on successes and best practices to others
