Find Positive Solutions to Negative Situations!

Conflict is bound to happen. Sometimes it comes out of the blue and other times it has been brewing for a while. When the situation finally comes to a head and you’ve got to respond, your reaction makes all the difference. You don’t want to roll over but you don’t want to be rolled on. Flat out: Conflict makes your workday miserable, and the wrong move will end up putting a roadblock in your career success. Join us for proven ways to get through these tough situations.

Use Proven Methods to Keep Your Cool Under Fire

You’ll start handling conflict without all the negative emotions — the anger, anxiety, guilt or embarrassment that frequently fueled your interactions. The temptations to blow up or shut down will be under control. You’ll be the one to take on the situation with composure, a clearheadedness that brings clarity and resolutions to the issue. At How to Manage Conflict & Work Through Disagreements, you’ll assess your conflict-management style, build on your strengths and address your weaknesses.

You’ll Learn Techniques to Defuse Tension

Whether the stress occurs between groups of people or you and one other person, you’ll be equipped with strategies that bring the problem, not the personalities, into focus. Diagnose disagreements and discover the hidden causes that are blowing up the situation. Transform the negative energy into useful problem-solving techniques.

Apply Different Approaches for Different Personality Types and Situations

Not all conflict situations are created equal. You won’t get a “one-size-fits-all” approach to conflict management. You’ll recognize each situation for what it is and gain a higher level of understanding to reach positive results. Develop active-listening skills and know when it’s better not to confront. No matter when and where the conflict arises, you’ll feel confident, prepared and capable of handling the challenge.

Conflict won’t ever go away but you can handle it — tactfully, positively and confidently!

Understanding How Conflict Occurs — So You Can Head It Off at the Pass!

• Common myths about conflict that lead us astray
• Exploring the basic causes of conflict
• Surefire strategies for minimizing causes of conflict so they don't arise in the first place
• The accepted approaches to conflict management and when each is helpful
• Recognizing why pouting, avoidance, power plays and manipulation never resolve conflict
• How fear of conflict can hold you back — personally and professionally
• The plus side of conflict: growth opportunities that conflict offers and how to benefit from them

Problem-Solving Techniques for Navigating Your Way Through Conflict

• Critical rules of interpersonal problem-solving that will keep you on track
• Essential questions to ask yourself before you do anything
• EXERCISE: Using problem-solving worksheets to figure out what's really going on
• The 3-step A.C.E. Method to conflict resolution
• Conflict-resolution skills every professional should know
• Compromising positions that work
• Big "don'ts" to avoid during conflict

Never the Twain Shall Meet: Managing Differences Between Others

• Should you get involved? Here's how to decide
• How to diagnose disagreements
• Secrets that master diplomats use to negotiate agreement between "warring parties"
• The importance of avoiding the "placing blame" trap
• The art of turning arguments into fact-gathering, team-building pluses
• Critical steps that lead to agreement
• Building a framework of trust for your team or work unit
• Power tips for dealing effectively with various negative behaviors

How Assertiveness Can Help You Lead, Motivate and Persuade Others

• Steps for getting beyond fear of confrontation
• Turning your anxiety into an asset
• Confrontation 101: “How-to’s” for confronting someone in a calm, professional manner
• Stop ... think ... use your head: How to avoid overreacting
• How to neutralize paralyzing emotions
• If tears threaten: Proven techniques for stemming the flow
• Breaking the guilt bind
• Self-validation: A powerful take-home tool that teaches you how to come out on top in conflict

Managing Anger — Your Own and That of Others

• Basic facts you should know about anger
• Subtle symptoms of unacknowledged anger
• The lost art of anger management: An easy-to-use 4-stage anger response
• Ways to deal with anger appropriately
• How to get your point across without blowing your top
• What you must know to minimize antagonistic behavior
• Tactics for defusing an angry person during a confrontation
• Crisis management: What to do when someone's anger threatens to turn into violence

SPECIAL SECTION: How to Handle Specific Confrontational Situations with Ease

• Techniques for dealing with backstabbing and ridicule
• What to do when you're challenged or put down in front of others
• Tips for handling criticism without getting defensive or upset
• How to deal with people who treat you disrespectfully
• Recognizing and dealing effectively with the aggressive tactics of others
• What to do if someone gets verbally abusive during a disagreement
• How to respond when others try to drag you into an argument you want no part of

Opening Up the Lines of Communication to Minimize Conflict

• The 3 C's of conflict communication
• Essential speaking skills for conflict situations
• Choosing your words well: Increase understanding and the battle is half won
• Conflict-escalating words that should never leave your lips during confrontation
• Keys to direct, clear communication that will end crippling mixed messages forever
• Active-listening skills that will help you hear what's being said — and avoid misunderstandings
• How to follow up once the confrontation is over

Taking Care of No. 1 (That's You!) When Conflict Takes Its Toll

• Powerful principles for maintaining positive human relationships during conflict
• How to stop self-destructive behaviors
• Self-talk: Could what you're saying to yourself be sabotaging your efforts?
• Breaking the cycle of conflict-related stress
• Dealing with "toxic" stressors
• Letting go of rage and self-pity
• The 5-step process for reclaiming your self-esteem