Working Through Conflict in Construction

Leading Productive Conversations in Construction

Description

Most of us want to avoid conflicts but they’re an inevitable part of life. We won’t always agree with others, but their viewpoint may add value to mine – at the very least, it’s worth listening to. Conflicts will arise so rather than trying to avoid them, we need to learn to manage them. In this seminar, you will explore how conflict, if managed well, can result in better decisions and outcomes. You will learn about conflict management styles, gain insight into your “go to” style and how to adapt your approach to move beyond conflict to collaboration. 

Learning Objectives 

  • Understand why conflict happens in construction environments 

  • Learn principles and steps of interest-based conflict management 

  • Explore four styles of conflict management and strategies to collaborate with each style 

  • Identify your default conflict management style and when to adapt it 

  • Understand how to collaborate with others who have different styles 

  • Build skills to stay calm, reduce escalation, and lead constructive conversations 

Course Content 

  • Understand both the negative and positive aspects of conflict 

  • Identify common sources of conflict on job sites and in office settings (e.g., unclear roles, pressure, miscommunication) 

  • Differentiate between position-based and interest-based conflict approaches 

  • Identify the principles and steps to effectively management conflict 

  • Understand 5 approaches to conflict management and characteristics of each 

  • Learn how to make a conscious choice about which conflict style to use  

  • Adapt your approach to work more effectively with people, depending on their conflict management style 

  • Identifying personal “hot buttons” and how to respond with intention instead of emotion 

  • Practice language and tone choices that lead to collaboration, not confrontation 

  • Apply practical tools and techniques to manage and resolve workplace conflict effectively 

 

Note: Sharing a single registration between two or more individuals is not permitted. Please register each person that will be in attendance.

Who Should Attend

This course is intended for site supervisors, forepersons, project managers, coordinators, and other construction professionals who want to learn strategies to more effectively manage challenging communications, de-escalate potential conflicts and work through conflicts to build a collaborative team environment