Why everyone at work needs conflict management skills (and how you can get them).
Group home counselor, Executive Chef, Senior help desk technician, quality assurance specialist, RN Director of case management, Care Partner, commercial real estate field assistant, Title 9 investigator and training specialist, , Supplier Quality Engineer, Call Center Coordinator, Respite Center on-call advocate, HR representative ( lumber company), HR Director (Coffee and tea company), Restaurant manager, Regional Bank Supervisor, , home warranty products authorization supervisor, power plant manager, customer service supervisor , RCFE Resident Services Director, back office services supervisor, Fuel station manager, marketing director, Shift lead at fast food franchise, Home Therapies Dialysis Nurse (RN), Residence Life & Housing Coordinator, Scrum Master
What do all these jobs have in common? In job descriptions posted in March and April this year on Indeed, each of these job announcements include conflict resolution or conflict management as required or desirable skills.
People now who are looking for jobs or wanting promotions across a range of industries and job titles need to take conflict management skills seriously. So do people in frustrating work situations who can’t afford to leave.
As a conflict management professional, I have been telling clients and students for a long time, that wherever there are groups of people, conflict and misunderstanding are inevitable. And, it doesn’t have to be a tragedy, because people at work, whether leaders or employees, can learn to navigate conflict effectively, and help create a productive and harmonious workplace.
So how do people learn and demonstrate they have these conflict resolution skills?
I’ve given this question a lot of thought over the years as a student and a teacher of these and related topics, and as an individual coach of managers, CEOs, and employees struggling with difficult coworkers. Individual coaching can help. Training in skills and awareness can help. A certificate providing proof of this training is concrete evidence you can show a supervisor or potential employer!
A new conflict management program
Two years ago, I was invited to create a new conflict management professional development certificate program at Sonoma State University which meets this need. The question was–What could we offer (in 12 weeks) that would give leaders and employees, including HR professionals, managers and aspiring managers, team leads, and co-workers a solid foundation of skills and awareness for better communication and conflict management at work?
I am pleased and proud to announce that we did it! SSU’s new 12 week Conflict Management certificate program will begin September 13th! In my opinion, it is practical, visionary, and powerful! Mini lectures, discussions, interactive and introspective exercises, multi media, and guest experts are all part of the experience. Weekly topics answer questions such as:
- What is conflict anyway?
- How can I have a successful conversation on a difficult topic or with a difficult person?
- How can I give and receive feedback in positive and affirming ways?
- How do misunderstandings and assumptions about gender, generations, race, ethnicity and other differences create unnecessary conflict and miscommunication? And how can I shift that?
- How can I recognize and stop workplace bullying?
- What are the basics of negotiation and mediation and when are they useful?
- How can I facilitate a meeting or participate in a way that promotes efficiency and success?
We can’t possibly share everything about good communication and conflict management in 36 hours, but we can make a very good start. To get your solid foundation (and your certificate!) please visit Sonoma State University’s conflict management certificate program webpage for details and registration. You can also contact me with any questions. This Fall class is offered face to face, but in the future we hope to take it online so people all over the country can attend. I am happy to talk about any of this with you at any time!
Skills in workplace conflict management are becoming increasingly important for individual success and for successful corporations, non-profits, and government entities. You can be part of the solution.
Lorraine Segal: As a teacher, trainer, consultant, and coach, I am passionately committed to helping people in organizations and companies learn skills to release conflicts and misunderstandings, communicate better, heal from bullying, and create a more harmonious and productive workplace. I teach communication, bullying awareness, and conflict management skills at Sonoma State University and online, and create customized programs for businesses, non profits, and the public sector, as well as working with individual managers and employees.I am also a consultant and trainer for County of Sonoma. For more information about how we might work together, or to request a free short consult or a full session, visit ConflictRemedy.com
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