UCSC Conflict Resolution Series

All sessions are free, however you must enroll in advance. Please note, managers & supervisors should not attend these workshops with their employees.
To enroll: UCSC Events Manager

Understanding, Preventing, and De-escalating Conflict
- January 14, 11:30am - 1pm, 212 Kerr Hall
Even under the best of circumstances, conflicts occur within organizations. When change and uncertainty are added to the mix, conflict can flare, taking its toll on individuals and on the workplace environment. While conflict is inevitable, it doesn’t have to create chaos and turmoil. During this session you’ll learn how to prevent and de-escalate potentially volatile situations.

Conflict Resolution: Tools for Action
- February 1 (for Faculty), 2:30 - 4:30pm, 212 Kerr Hall
- February 8 (for Staff), 2:30 - 4:30pm, T&D Training Room
Have you ever experienced conflict with a coworker or supervisor and found yourself feeling overwhelmed, powerless, or uncertain about how to respond? This workshop will teach you simple but powerful tools to help you select the optimal strategy for various conflict dynamics. You’ll also gain resources for translating your strategy into action, including respectfully requesting change; setting appropriate boundaries; saying no; and responding to no.

Conflict Management Skills for Supervisors (for Managers & Supervisors)
- February 18, 3 - 4:30pm, T&D Training Room
As a supervisor, you play an important role in creating a climate where conflict is perceived as a normal part of the work day. With the right tools, you and your staff can navigate through conflict more effectively, fostering growth and building stronger workplace relationships. This workshop outlines strategies for intervening early, assessing the situation, addressing dysfunctional conflict and moving in a positive direction - without getting in over your head!
Please note, managers & supervisors should not attend this workshop with their employees.

Coming to Terms with Our Differences
- February 25, 2:30 - 4:30pm, 212 Kerr Hall
The more diverse our work environment, the more we are called upon to work with people who are different from ourselves. People of different generational, cultural and class backgrounds often have different “norms.” Add to these differences other factors such as temperament, style and values and the potential for conflict multiplies. This workshop will explore the relationship between diversity and conflict, and provide tools for building understanding and rapport.

Speaking Up to Bias
- March 4, 3 - 4:30pm, T&D Training Room
How do you respond when you hear a prejudicial statement in the workplace? Afterwards, do you regret your response or the fact that you didn’t say anything at all? This workshop will explore ways of speaking up against bias without shaming, blaming, or alienating the speaker. Please bring your own examples.

Rebuilding Trust
- March 8, 3 - 4:30pm, 212 Kerr Hall
The loss of trust is a common cost of conflict and often leads to guarded communication and compromised teamwork and productivity. This workshop will approach the challenge of rebuilding trust from several different angles, with the aim of supporting participants to develop their own action plans.

Listening as a Means for Building Common Ground
- December 2, 3 - 4:30pm, T&D Training Room
- March 18 (for Staff), 3 - 4:30pm, T&D Training Room
- April 12 (for Faculty), 11:30am - 1pm, 212 Kerr Hall
Whether your goal is to build consensus, improve a working relationship, find common cause, or end a stand-off, this workshop will help. We will focus on listening beneath the spoken word to uncover the underlying values, principles and concerns of all involved parties, and then utilize what you’ve discovered to guide the communication in a more productive direction.

Mediation Skills for Supervisors (for Managers & Supervisors)
- January 21 & 28, 1:30 - 4:30pm, T&D Training Room
- March 9 & 16, 1:30 - 4:30pm, T&D Training Room
This workshop will present a step-by-step approach to effective intervention in employee conflict situations. We will focus on learning how to assess the problem, establish buy-in, and choose the best approach to resolve the conflict. You’ll also gain an understanding of how to facilitate a problem-solving dialogue, and provide effective follow-up and support.
Please note, managers & supervisors should not attend this workshop with their employees.

Presenter: Nancy Heischman, Director of Campus Conflict Resolution Services  

Additional information about Campus Conflict Resolution Services

Enrollment: Use the UCSC Events Manager, or call 459-5565.

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