Other Services

Individuals putting together large puzzle

What other conflict resolution services does OCDR provide?

Conflict is complex and often requires multiple interventions to get to resolution. For that reason, OCDR provides services in addition to collaborative problem-solving and training. OCDR's services are provided to the public sector at no cost.

Conflict coaching

Conflict coaching involves focused conversations that help individuals or teams build their conflict resolution skills and/or work through specific conflicts (Mediators Beyond Borders International, 2024). Through using open-ended questions, coaches help clients set goals, reflect on aspects of a conflict that are important to them, and practice new responses while getting behavioral feedback. Conflict coaching uses the skills and practices of life coaching applied to conflict situation. If you are a leader and need to coach employees, conflict coaching can help you think systematically about ways to provide conflict management support. If you are an employee, conflict coaching can help you navigate conflicts at work confidently and effectively.

Conflict coaching usually involves multiple 30-60-minute sessions; session length and timing are based on client goals.

Organizational Conflict Management Guidance

Conflict occurs anywhere two or more parties disagree. All teams and organizations experience conflict. To address conflict, some organizations put conflict management systems in place to prevent, manage, and resolve conflict and sustain resolution. Organizational leaders can intentionally design processes and systems to support mindsets and behaviors to deal with conflict constructively and proactively. Internal organizational conflict management systems may also help employees better navigate conflict with clients and the public.

OCDR offers guidance to HR directors, supervisors and managers, and others who have responsibility for managing conflict at the organizational level. OCDR advises on:

  • Setting employee expectations for resolving conflict
  • Designing inclusive practices that can prevent conflict
  • Norm development
  • Role and process clarity
  • Intentional meeting design
  • Timing and processes for resolving conflicts
  • Training approaches
  • And other guidance

Public engagement design support

Engaging with the public is an essential part of many public sector organizations. We make our best decisions when we hear from the people who are impacted by decisions and bring multiple viewpoints into decision making processes. Public meetings and events are one of the most common methods of bringing government and communities together for information sharing, deliberation, and relationship building.

When contentious topics are on the table, designing effective engagement activities or public meetings can be challenging. Intentional design can not only prevent unproductive conflict, but lead to greater shared understanding among parties and better outcomes for the issue at hand. Guidance may focus on:

  • Refining the public engagement purpose
  • Framing issues
  • Public engagement and meeting design
  • Level and type of involvement from different parties
  • Pre-and post-engagement communications

OCDR provides both one-time guidance and ongoing design support, depending on the issue and intensity of conflict.

Building Minnesota’s conflict resolution field

Given our role at the state, OCDR is uniquely positioned to bring awareness to Minnesota’s conflict resolution field, to connect practitioners to each other, and to refer clients and communities to organizations that can serve their needs. OCDR:

Contact

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