PD

Conflict Resolution

Module
JS2
Skill
[Communication]
Minutes
60

Learning Objectives

  • Practise how to apply various professional solutions with colleagues, even when they don’t initially see things the same way.

Introduction

We will explore how to resolve conflicts and steps you can take to avoid them in the first place.

Exercises

Why do we disagree? (20 minutes)

Goal: Identify reasons for disagreement

Working in a group of 3 - 5 people for 10 minutes, please discuss the questions below.

  • Make a list of reasons why technical people might disagree at work.
  • What is a team?
  • Where is the boundary between a disagreement and a conflict?

Feed back your conclusions to the room and briefly discuss (10 minutes).

Practice resolving conflicts (30 minutes)

Goal: Role-play a conflict based on different goals

  • Work in groups of three. Assign yourselves as person A, B or C.
  • Pretend you are planning a holiday together. 
    • Person A wants the most outdoor adventure they can
    • person B wants to save money
    • person C wants cultural and social experiences
  • Prepare by yourself (1 minute):
    • Plan the ideal holiday from your role’s perspective.
    • Identify some parts of your plan that you will not compromise.
  • Negotiate and agree on a shared plan (10 minutes).
    • Try to resolve conflicts that arise.
  • Feed back to the whole room (10 minutes). 
    • Explain techniques you used to reach an agreement.