Conflict - Opportunity or threat?
Featured in the Managing Conflict training manual
By Caroline Love
Category: Conflict Resolution
Credit price: 3 download credits (Single user)
When a colleague or a customer is disagreeing strongly with you, what is your first gut reaction? Do you thrill with excitement at the prospect of a good debate, want to pretend it is not happening, or try to achieve a mutually agreed position? This initial reaction influences the way we deal with disagreements and can make the difference between provoking or preventing conflict. The more we are aware of our natural, instinctive reactions, the better we can manage situations for a positive outcome.
The training activity starts with a milling exercise. A card containing a statement is distributed to each participant and they then try and find five participants who agree with the statement on their card. Once one participant has done this, the milling exercise ends and the participants review their learning from the exercise. Then they complete a short self-assessment questionnaire to identify their instinctive reactions to conflict situations. The activity continues with a discussion on what influences our reactions to conflict in general and to particular conflict situations. There is an optional learning expectations exercise if this is the first activity in a programme, to help participants clarify their key learning needs and expectations.
Who is it for: This training resource is intended for use by trainers to enable their participants to identify initial, instinctive reactions to potential conflict – do they thrill with excitement at the prospect of a good debate, want to pretend it is not happening or try to achieve a mutually agreed position?
- Themes:
- Managing conflict,
- Personal development,
| Resource Type: | Activity |
| Min Group Size: | 4 |
| Max Group Size: | 20 |
| Typical Duration: | 01:15:00 |
| No of Pages: | 16 |
Resources: View standard resources for Fenman training activities
Additional resources: Index cards, Glue or double-sided adhesive tape.
Purpose: This training resource is intended for use by trainers as the first activity in a programme on managing conflict. It is a lively opener and, if the participants have not already met, it is a good way for them to start to get to know each other. This training activity can also be used in programmes on team development, team building, leadership skills, and personal development.
Download the training activity, Conflict - Opportunity or threat? as featured in the Fenman training manual; Managing Conflict