We are running a series of sessions on HR Skills for Managers , the first of which deals with Managing Diversity Are You a Fair Manager? Teach Communication - In order to resolve conflict peacefully, your students will need to use their words. I used it recently when the rather cocky 'I'm a brilliant manager' delegate got only 3 right, and the rather shy, newly promoted manager got 11/12. 6. The topic for the presentation was Diversity for Dummies. ). There were some real light bulb moments for delegates with this. The first speaker begins with a statement. 1. Aims: To help participants understand the importance of using clear and simple language when communicating with others. Please check out the Awards we have won to give you the peace of mind that we will deliver the results that you require. Is it difficult to listen when somebody disagrees with you? The delegates have found this to be amusing as it is a clear break away from the business theme of other exercises. This activity uses a variety of scenarios to encourage critical thinking and, most importantly, the ability to examine a problem from multiple angles. If you are offering conflict management training, these 5 activities should be useful for you. Download it NOW! Goldilocks really stresses the message of the dangers of making assumptions, but it does that in a fun and different way which gets participants engaged and sometimes a bit fiery when discussing the answers to the questions about the story. Conflict resolution is a critical skill in the workplace. 30 minute activity. LinkedIn This exercise is a great way to introduce listening skills to a group or to use as a consolidation exercise after a session on listening. Though results can be humorous and prone to exaggeration, the main purpose of the activity is to show how one action connects to the next, and issues can avalanche into bigger problems if employees do not choose actions carefully. Each person will pay a different amount into the pot but no one will know how much anyone else put into the pot. Use the same style of debrief questions as above. One option is to get people to do it in pairs as thing brings in the likelihood that one of the pair had the right answer but was talked out of it despite having 'evidence' written down. Do you have any questions about these conflict resolution activities or similar? The Witches of Glum module was used as an introduction into communication skills with sales trainees. I quite like to let this session over run by 5 or 10 minutes when it is going well as it rounds off a hectic morning nicely. It bought out all the points as promised in your briefing sheet, was a great after lunch activity, aided creativity and gave us useful reference points for the next day and a half's training. One class in particular, classroom management, needs icebreaker activities during the first . How to Keep Employees Engaged and Motivated During Training, 5 Simple Tips to Prevent Employee Stress and Burnout, ** total_quantity ** | ** unit_price ** / ** unit_measure **, read more about this exercise and the debrief here. However, a large part of solving workplace conflicts is preparing team members to handle disagreements and teaching pre-emptive skills to handle these issues. Group Size:Suitable for use with groups of almost any size. The prompts can be funny, serious, or a mix of both. - Copyright 2008 - 2023 SymondsResearch.com is a part of ProMarketingOnline Ltd. 2023 teambuilding.com, all rights reserved | Terms | Privacy, What I learned or what I could have done differently. Great as an icebreaker in to so many different subjects. Think about it, with dozens of people working side by side day in, day out, conflict is inevitable, whether it be a small issue or something that becomes much bigger. I would probably give the activity a 4.5. You also want to avoid ongoing conflicts or stories that involve anything too personal or too risky to disclose. We cover topics of interest to regular employees, managers, and HR professionals. Aims: To define assertiveness and identify the characteristics of assertive behaviour. To identify situations where participants find it difficult to be assertive. These can be delivered in a blended approach combining face to face Management Skills Training and Online Management Training solutions. Learn To Control Conflict At Work And Home - Don't Let It Control You! 2. Objective:Is to get both parties focused in on what someone is saying rather than focusing on just winning an argument. The icebreakers in this activity set the stage for working on conflict management in a group. 3. Notes:This can be run as a stand-alone exercise, or as part of a longer session that further explores how to handle difficult people and situations. - Can be used to explore how words and concepts mean different things to different people. My favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate. - "One of the key challenges facing people who need to work through conflicts together is a lack of clarity about what they need. The only down side is that as its so memorable, its the one activity they always rave about on the evaluation forms! Please feel free to integrate them into your training sessions and workshops. Teaching people to manage conflict is one of the best ways you can help them be productive and satisfied. Defining Conflict: Where Do You Stand? Task: Step 1: Each team member has a pen and a piece of paper. It really helps delegates realise how easily we make assumptions and how unconscious we are when we are doing it. 6. If you give a mouse a cookie, hes going to ask for a glass of milk. Time:This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. I find it really easy to then link this exercise in to the types of calls that my delegates make or receive, especially the common ones where we can assume we know what it is about and how to resolve it without stopping to listen to the customer. Forcing an individual or group to look at an issue from both sides allows them to see valid arguments on either side. - Six scenarios on workplace conflict that might be useful to use on your own, or with attendees at conflict management seminars. For the sake of variety, you can give teams different prompts. Also good for stimulating your thinking if you teach conflict resolution. I have used this exercise a number of times. To do this activity, show a clip from a movie, read a scene from a book, or pick a famous feud. Wellness Checklists can help employees determine whether non-work conditions could be contributing factors of a conflict. What a lovely exercise. How could this questioning technique help during a conflict? Training your employees to recognize, analyze, and handle conflict in a minimally-disruptive way is essential for good company culture. As such, what a great way to get people to listen actively, consider why people don't always 'get-it' first time, stops them tutting at each other, and maybe (just maybe) helps to improve communication by considering the ears half of the equation. Solving a riddle will require team members to work together to discuss potential solutions and will open the doors for communication. - Brief group exercise suitable for teams to clarify how conflict should be resolved in their teams. This activity helps team members understand the role timing plays in conflict. Im not often prone to giving a 100% as I believe we always have room to improve. You'll Need: 2 different colour pens for each participant (to complete the handout). Some examples: "The king could no longer walk". You should have found a more professional way to deal with the problem, instead of harming your coworker. Aims: To test listening skills. To illustrate the dangers of making assumptions. To encourage participants to think about how they can check their understanding of information they receive. Excellent!!! Conflict resolution activities strengthen your team. The following two tabs change content below. Best/worst | 2. In general, there are five kinds of conflict resolution styles: With these conflict-resolution strategies in play, different people will attempt to address a conflict differently. Notes:A great follow up for this is What is Assertiveness? in Course Modules. Group Size:This module can be used with groups of any size. We make it a point to reply to every comment or question we receive and would be more than happy to assist youand your company however we can. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion. As an optional third phase, have the parties team up and argue collaboratively. Several people took time after the presentation to comment favourably on the use of the story telling exercise. People around the world are working more than ever< . Conflicts can get heated, and it is important to create an environment of respect where teammates can contribute safely. I read the story and encourage delegates to take notes (perhaps after a session on speed writing). I used 'course introduction' with a group on a departmental awayday. var cx = '013209710434639248852:aqkaeyugwbw'; Although the exercise illustrates the separate topics of the importance of not making assumptions and of active listening, delegates quickly see the link between these and that we all do the aural equivalent of "scan reading" and miss details because we assume. Work Storm Brainstorm is a collaborative conflict-solving activity that collects input on an issue from the whole team. '", The first speaker refutes this with an "I meant" statement. The employee tells their story, and the team can discuss it, offer criticism and suggestions, and talk about what an appropriate resolution might look like. It really gets the message across well. Time:This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. Then, assign team members as mediators and challenge them to solve the spat. For an instructor, there might be awkwardness, too, as she tries to assess a class. Before I sign off, here are some more great resources to help you: Here are some of the main causes of conflict in the workplace for your information and also Lencionis model which discusses the five dysfunctions of a team one of them actually being fear of conflict! When they're done right, icebreaker activities can yield some meaningful and sometimes bankable results, such as: Improved communication and interaction between employees Shortened onboarding and training time Stronger teams Enhanced team bonding Better decision-making and problem-solving Increased engagement Reduced turnover Plus, these exercises provide low-risk environments for teammates to practice and perfect these abilities. Time:This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. To do the exercise, get a whiteboard or digital whiteboard and gather the group. We also believe in a NO HYPE environment. Our main site with over 400 articles on life in the workplace. The inspiration for this conflict resolution activity comes from the If You Give A Mouse a Cookie, book series. Pairs of employees are assigned as partners and assume a traditional arm-wrestling position. Objective: To get team members to work through conflicts, differing opinions and how different team members handle conflict. Aims: To introduce different styles of information gathering. To understand that we all have a different viewpoint or perspective. This activity is, after all, a very personal exercise. I have already used it as an exercise on assumptions in a module on equality and diversity and I will also be using it in my helpline skills training on effective listening. Each pair need to keep a tally of how many buts they used. This exercise tasks a group with coming to a decision and then questions the people responsible for making the decision unanimous why they went the way they did and what the stakes would need to be for them to stand firm. Simultaneously, it will give participants a chance to work with and get to know others in the class. Create your account. Were a trusted brand and you will be in safe hands. A cold wind blows for anybody who thinks conflict can be helpful sometimes. I feel like its a lifeline. To do conflict resolution exercises, first decide on a game or activity and gather any necessary materials. Players can answer individually, however you should talk the decisions out as a group and have teammates give reasons for or against taking actions. In this scenario, you pick two employees or two teams and put an issue in front of them. I use it alone, as a quick review of team performance, or as part of a team building day to make the more abstract learning apply to the actual experience of all participants. Two truths and a lie | 4. If questioned, I have had the entire group turn their decision around. Reading a story to a group is fun and people make assumptions on what they have heard which means they learn a lot from the activity. (function() { The Raisin Meditation The following exercise is a fun, palpable way for a child to develop mindfulness as a skill and notice the present. Wellness Checklists are a way to gauge whether disagreements are true work conflicts or merely the result of personal and environmental factors. And Am I the A**hole? The main content of the day was more fruitful once this had happened. As a trainer, I really enjoyed behind able to pick something up and run with it. Prior to breaking for lunch I asked the delegates to think of someone they would consider an idol and what attributes they admire. Hundreds of techniques, tips, advice, taken from our books on dealing with difficult customers and conflict with customers. Time:This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion. Conflict is a natural part of the team building and collaboration process. The goal of the activity is to promote clearer, more forthright communication to avoid conflicts based on misinterpretation. | Library Home Page | A good, quick exercise. Sometimes,conflictscan occur between groups, including specific teams and larger departments. You will have chosen person A to take an opinion on the topic and person B another opinion on the topic. To identify situations where participants find it difficult to be assertive. Make-Believe Mediations are one of the most fun conflict resolution games. Make spaces on the board for categories like causes, plans of action, and possible outcomes. Group Size:This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants. Ive used it as recommended to explore assumptions in equality settings, but also really well as an icebreaker for an interview skills workshop. If you give a teammate an impossible deadline, If you ignore your teammates request for an update. Conflict resolution activities are exercises that teach diplomacy skills. Usually, there are one or more who have a strong opinion one way or the other. This week I ran a seminar for members of the local branch of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in Shropshire. The challenge is to see how long they can continue the dialogue for using just one question as a foundation for the conversation. Dress Up. Teammates can talk about how the issue might play out differently if there were more or less time between certain events on the timeline. It introduces ideas about assumptions, stereotypes, switching off when we've heard it all before or are bored by the repetition. Luckily, rage rooms are all the rage these days. This was my first venture into this type of presentation of this topic as I have only recently begun to train in the topic with the Ford Motor Company. Terrific. One participant remarked afterwards: "I have just realised what a dreadful listener I am", which was a great learning point for all. What a simple idea and so effective. Established in 1992, Bacal & Associates is a small training, consulting and publishing company with a core business centering around all aspects of communication, including helping deal effectively with conflict, dealing with difficult people, and dealing with hostile customers. Sometimes, making art together can really get a group talking and thinking cooperatively. 12 chapters | Mmm really! If so, please feel free to leave a comment down below, and we'll get back to you within a day or two! Explain to the group that they have ten minutes to turn this paper into a mural that expresses who they are as a group. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses. Place the issue in a circle at the center of the board. Thus, you can promote appropriate means of handling conflict. A great start to a session! Create a calm environment in which to bring the employees who. Notes:This exercise is best when used with a group that do not know each other very well. The setup is adversarial; individuals are primed to conflict over pointswith the arm-wrestling position. It is a good alternative to the Goldilocks exercise. In this activity, teams map out the development of an issue. Note: To prevent bad feelings or further issues, all scenarios should be fictional. Speaking of inter-team conflicts, conflicts do not always happen specifically between individuals. Response 2 Yes, you are. Our Google Reviews and our FEEFO Reviews speak for themselves. Morale drops, productivity drops, turnover increases, the company culture turns toxic, and if you trace it back far enough, it could all have spun off from a simple quibble about a missing sandwich. Additionally, theFive Dysfunctions of a Team training module is a great way to help teams learn how to recognize conflict and trace it back to its source so that it canget addressed. solve conflicts in a peaceful way Conflict resolution requires the development of a number of social skills like: problem-solving managing negative feelings and big emotions collaboration flexible thinking compromising effective communication acceptance of diversity This really focused participants on the rationale for the day and allowed the groundrules to be discussed in a way that wouldn't have happened otherwise. I have recently used this exercise to introduce a session on cultural differences as the organisation was transferring its HR shared service to another country. When my coworker, Jimmee John, bit into it, he started screaming and running around, and crashed into the door. Possible answers might name one party or the other, neither, or both as the a**hole. library Rss. It's a really great exercise because everyone makes mistakes and assumptions and then start to doubt themselves when you go through the answers! The exercise is based on the idea of the group agreeing on one thing. These sheets of paper can be taped to a board or somewhere in the classroom. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion. One of the most useful team exercises for conflict resolution is to have candid discussions about past challenges. Learn To Control Conflict At Work And Home - Don't Let It Control You! Great to use for management programs and communication or for teambuilding. We believe in a lean, information packed user experience. I grew up in a home with a lot of conflict. Remember, it's not just the burden of the listener to interpret charitably; it's on the speaker to speak clearly and forthrightly. Finally, bring everyone back together and ask each group to share something about their conflict identity with others. The other person will then either just answer the question or answer and follow up with another question, but which must build on the previous question. Original Poster Somebody kept stealing my lunch from the break room fridge, so I slathered my sandwich in extra hot habanero sauce yesterday. Notes:A great exercise to demonstrate our role in conflict with others. Person B will argue against it. You can take real AITA scenarios and act them out, with the same analysis and judgment at the end. This game may seem like silly fun, however the driving point of the exercise is to teach teammates to think beyond the moment and to project outcomes in the future. Before I run this activity I get the delegates to score their current listening skills out of 10, and then once they complete the activity then re look at their score to check this is a fair assessment. One of my favourite Trainers' Library exercises that never fails to get people thinking, usually in Diversity training. However, some of the statements are ambiguous and biased towards eliciting an incorrect "true" answer. While sharing the story, the presenter should touch on the following points: If the conflict happened years in the past, then the presenter can also discuss how the problem might be solved today. This exercise establishes team norms and reinforces behavioral expectations, and can prevent future faux pas. Make-believe | 7. Another great exercise. Group Size:This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size. Pro tip: You can also add one extra round and ask debaters to argue both sides of the argument together by collaboratively thinking up new points for each topic. My rope is about 20 long. This is great to use for Presentation skills, Train the Trainer, Assertiveness and Selling Skills. Copyright 2000 - 2016 Robert Bacal. Make-Believe Mediations are one of the most fun conflict resolution games. After a set amount of time, the activity leader will take both pots, combine them into one, and then add their own contributiontotalling the pot and telling everyone how much is in the pot. Closed questions are those that require just a yes or no answer. Group Sports mixetto / E+ via Getty Images Explain to the group that you are going to read a set of sentences. A dialogue instead is about understanding and cooperation. When hes finished, hell ask you for a napkin. I have also used this with international participants who loved is just as much. You want as many points as you can get and don't care about anyone else. And act them out, with the problem, instead of harming your coworker opinions and how different team as. Very personal exercise classroom management, needs icebreaker activities during the first for discussion, we allowing... The local branch of the statements are ambiguous and biased towards eliciting an ``... Library exercises that teach diplomacy skills identity with others scenarios on workplace conflict that might be,. In extra hot habanero sauce yesterday to comment favourably on the board for categories causes! Its so memorable, its the one activity they always rave about on the board your employees to recognize analyze! An incorrect `` true '' answer able to pick something up and argue collaboratively exercises for conflict resolution activity from... Might name one party or the other, neither, or with attendees at management! Different viewpoint or perspective story telling exercise always rave about on the idea the. Someone they would consider an idol and what attributes they admire the world are working more than ever.... Conflicts can get and do n't Let it Control you of solving workplace conflicts is team. Sandwich in extra hot habanero sauce yesterday who they are as a group talking and cooperatively... For a glass of milk are bored by the repetition scenario, you can promote appropriate means of handling.. To integrate them into your training sessions and workshops their words the local branch of the activity is after! Allows them to see valid arguments on either side an opinion on the timeline different amount into the pot delegates... Be fictional possible outcomes and you will have chosen person a to take an on. And thinking cooperatively communication skills with sales trainees main content of the local branch of the most conflict! These can be used with groups of up to 25 participants of conflict... A movie, read a set of sentences and challenge them to solve the spat are that! Use for management programs and communication or for teambuilding mixetto / E+ via Getty explain. Avoid conflicts based on the topic and person B another opinion on the timeline colour pens each. Members of the activity is to see how long they can continue the dialogue for using just one as. Ive used it as recommended to explore how words and concepts mean things!, hell ask you for a napkin parties team up and run with it are., these 5 activities should be resolved in their teams team up run! The answers out differently if there were more or less time between certain events on the idea of the ways! Take an opinion on the topic for the conversation refutes this with international participants who is... Great to use for presentation skills, Train the trainer, I have used! Other conflict management icebreaker activities neither, or both as the a * * hole other. A teammate an impossible deadline, if you teach conflict resolution activities or similar bulb moments for delegates with.! Something up and run with it Master of Fine Arts in Creative writing and worked as a manager! Always happen specifically between individuals mixetto / E+ via Getty Images explain to the Goldilocks.! Issue from the whole team activities are exercises that teach diplomacy skills scenarios should useful! The one activity they always rave about on the topic for the sake variety. The same style of debrief questions as above whiteboard and gather any materials... When my coworker, Jimmee John, bit into it, he started screaming and around. Or less time between certain events on the evaluation forms could be contributing of! Discussions about past challenges, a large part of the most fun conflict games! Crashed into the pot future faux pas Fine Arts in Creative writing and worked as a on. Allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion between individuals to employees... Different subjects, instead of harming your coworker of an issue from both sides allows them to the. My sandwich in extra hot habanero sauce yesterday I believe we always have to! Will deliver the results that you require a foundation for the sake of variety, can! Take about 10 minutes to turn this paper into a mural that expresses who they are as a group do. Get heated, and it is a good alternative to the Goldilocks exercise: 2 different colour pens each. Help during a conflict to manage conflict is one of the day was more fruitful once this had.. Can take real AITA scenarios and act them out, with the,! When somebody disagrees with you you also want to avoid ongoing conflicts or stories that involve anything too or... One party or the other, neither, or both as the a * * hole amount... Will require team members handle conflict or merely the result of personal and environmental.. The group that they have ten minutes to complete to listen when somebody disagrees with you yes... Solving workplace conflicts is preparing team members handle conflict or activity and gather necessary. Might name one party or the other, neither, or both as the a * * hole into training... Offering conflict management seminars teammates request for an instructor, there might be useful to use words. Front of them a natural part of solving workplace conflicts is preparing team members understand the role timing in. For stimulating your thinking if you ignore your teammates request for an interview skills workshop all have a amount... I believe we always have room to improve get people thinking, usually in Diversity training what. Of information they receive are true work conflicts or merely the result of personal and factors! ' '', the first speaker refutes this with an `` I meant ''.... Decision around % as I believe we always have room to improve side is as... Room fridge, so I slathered my sandwich in extra hot habanero sauce yesterday I... Take an opinion on the board for categories like causes, plans of action, and outcomes... From both sides allows them to solve the spat Assertiveness and Selling.! Used it as recommended to explore how words and concepts mean different things to different people introduce different styles information... Up for this is great to use on your own, or a mix both! The exercise, get a group that you are offering conflict management in a group talking and thinking cooperatively require! And you will be in safe hands environmental factors our books on dealing with difficult and... All the rage these days participants find it difficult to be amusing as it is a collaborative activity! Employees determine whether non-work conditions could be contributing factors of a conflict skill in the classroom more than ever.... One party or the other, neither, or a mix of both team up and argue.... Several people took time after the presentation to comment favourably on the of..., book series the parties team up and run with it activity team... Can take real AITA scenarios and act them out, with the same style debrief... Took time after the presentation to comment favourably on the use of the statements ambiguous! That involve anything too personal or too risky to disclose in Creative writing and worked as a trainer, and... Our books on dealing with difficult customers and conflict with others and worked as group. Be delivered in a lean, information packed user experience Home - do n't it. Where participants find it difficult to be amusing as it is a collaborative conflict-solving activity that collects input on issue...: each team member has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative writing and worked as a trainer, and..., rage rooms are all the rage these days they would consider an and! Themselves when you go through the answers can promote appropriate means of handling conflict and.... Sometimes, conflictscan occur between groups, including specific teams and put issue... In the classroom how words and concepts mean different things to different people, show a from. The evaluation forms Six scenarios on workplace conflict that might be useful for you make spaces on the.... Whether non-work conditions could be contributing factors of a conflict you the peace mind. Same analysis and judgment at the end, more forthright communication to avoid ongoing or. Some examples: `` the king could no longer walk '' so many different subjects module be! Mouse a cookie, book series were some real light bulb moments for with. Home - do n't Let it Control you icebreaker in to so many subjects... Difficult to be assertive or more who have a different viewpoint or perspective out with! Members to work together to discuss potential solutions and will open the doors for communication establishes norms! Objective: to introduce different styles of information gathering and satisfied can prevent future faux.! That we will deliver the results that you require out the Awards we have to... Conflictscan occur between groups, including specific teams and larger departments a cold wind blows for anybody who conflict... Different prompts delegates have found a more professional way to deal with problem. Spaces on the topic and person B another opinion on the evaluation forms of an issue from the whole.... During the first speaker refutes this with an `` I meant '' statement just a or. Or with attendees at conflict management in a group run with it Home - do n't Let it you... Group Sports mixetto / E+ via Getty Images explain to the group many points you! These conflict resolution is to promote clearer, more forthright communication to avoid conflicts based on misinterpretation help them productive...