Workplace Conflict Management Course

Join small business, non-profit and municipal managers and supervisors in a weekly confidential cohort.  Participants receive support and insight into their workplace dilemmas and utilize the case study model in an interactive and participatory process. 

This 8-session course uses the book:  Conflict Management in the Workplace: How to manage disagreements and develop trust and understanding by Shay and Margaret McConnon.

Session will be held by Zoom video conferencing and in partnership with the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce. The course will be facilitated by Sara Barnes, MVMC Lead Mediator.

2025 - 2026 – 8 sessions

 Dates: beginning October 27
Tuesdays
10:00 - 11:30 AM
1.5 hours 		Topic and Chapter and Case study participant Core terms & Skills
Session One
October 27		 Intro to Conflict Management in the Workplace
Planning together for the Cohort 		• Conflict
• Win-win
Session Two
November 3		 Conflict as Learning
Chapter One: How the View Explains our Differences 		• Perspective
• Self Awareness

Conflict as Opportunity for Growth
Chapter Two: Differences in Personality Types 		• Neutrality
• Mutuality
Session Three
November 10		 The Inevitability of Conflict
Chapter Three: Fight the Difference or Celebrate it? 		• Conflict Positive
• Goal Setting

Open, Wide Awake approach to conflict
Chapter Four: Are you Building a Bridge or a Barrier? 		• Collaboration
• Reframing
Session Four
November 17		We all can learn to manage our feelings
Chapter Five: Understand and Manage your Feelings 		• Emotional intelligence
• Limbic System
Session Five
November 24		 Better negotiation leads to resolved conflicts
Video Ury: Updated negotiation for the 21st Century 		• Positions
• Interests/Needs
Session Six
December 1		 Analyzing conflict, countering the avoidance tendency
Chapter Six: Develop Skills and Increase Your Choices 		• Active Listening
• Non-judgmental
Session Seven
December 8		 The conflict management flow, step by step
Chapter 7: Four Steps to Resolution 		• Self determination
• Open-ended questions
Session Eight
December 15		 Handle conflict or it will handle you
Chapter 8: Preventing Conflict 		• Culture
• Structures & Rituals

In celebration of MV Mediation’s 40th Anniversary, we are offering a 40% discount. The cost for all 8 sessions is now $250.

The fee for the course is on a Sliding scale —we do not turn anyone away for financial reasons.

Scholarships are available for MA residents, please send email to education@mvmediation.org for more information.

Past participants in the Workplace Conflict Management course have stated that the training has helped them in their business and personal lives. The course provides great information in an enjoyable, interactive, collegial format.

Testimonials

“I was terrified when I came into the court. It seemed like the end of the world. Thanks to my compassionate and understanding mediators, I was able to have a productive conversation with someone I considered an adversary. I couldn’t believe we were able to work it out without going in front of a judge. Thank you MVMP.”

– Small Claims Client

“I was really not looking forward to mediation. But it turned turned out to be relatively pleasant. I really enjoyed working with the two of you. I plan to recommend mediation to others.”

– Divorce Client

“You brought us all together. It was awesome. I am so relieved. All our people felt uplifted, more united and part of a team. In particular one Board member said she felt she was taken care of with kindness and wisdom. We all know each other much better, have defined our work together and are in such better shape than we were when we started. Thank you MVMP.”

– Facilitation Client

“If you have the chance to do Conflict Coaching, DO IT! It was eye opening for me. My coach was kind, insightful and such a great listener. Most importantly, I learned so much about myself and about how I handle conflict. I now have a good, solid conflict management plan for the future.”

– Conflict Coaching Client

“It was valuable to help me handle a current conflict in my workplace. Putting a positive spin on conflict was an eye-opener for me. It gives me a structure to address problems. We had a very serious conflict at work recently so this is very important and relevant to me right now.”

– Workplace Conflict Management Services