Or, players might be education representatives from the Ministry of Magic, visiting Hogwarts to help the faculty confront Dumbledore about his hiring choices for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Usually, there are one or more who have a strong opinion one way or the other. Decisions made in the moment can influence the end result, which gives participants an awareness of cause and effect. Remote/Virtual Delivery:There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers Library. Time:This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. Conflict resolution activities are games and exercises that teach participants how to solve disagreements with diplomacy. So, they cannot change the topic. Its designed to help anyone reflect on how to improve their workplace relationships, not just those who are in conflict. This was my first venture into this type of presentation of this topic as I have only recently begun to train in the topic with the Ford Motor Company. Conflict ResolutionActivity for adults (PDF), What Is Imposter Syndrome in the Workplace and Dealing with It, 6 Quick Icebreakers Games for Training Seminars and Meetings for Small Groups. '", The first speaker refutes this with an "I meant" statement. 3. Respondents typically give reasoning behind their judgements. Group Size:This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 20 participants. Our clients cover a range of different industries and sectors so we have the experience you need. The main content of the day was more fruitful once this had happened. - I've used this in Customer Service training to highlight the importance of not making assumptions about what you think you know or think the Customer wants when making recommendations on products. Copyright 2008 - 2023 SymondsResearch.com is a part of ProMarketingOnline Ltd. Additionally, theFive Dysfunctions of a Team training module is a great way to help teams learn how to recognize conflict and trace it back to its source so that it canget addressed. Notes:Running times will increase with larger groups. Our product and service descriptions are free of overblown claims, and selling. Time Traveler Troubles is a fun roleplaying game. Each team member has a pen and a piece of paper. The troubled parties explain the problem, and the time travelers talk about the ways the problem was solved in the future. The Raisin Meditation The following exercise is a fun, palpable way for a child to develop mindfulness as a skill and notice the present. Really great exercise and would highly recommend. I have used this in call handling training as well as to reception staff. Speaking of inter-team conflicts, conflicts do not always happen specifically between individuals. I have recently used this exercise to introduce a session on cultural differences as the organisation was transferring its HR shared service to another country. Best/worst | 2. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes for completion. Its great seeing the learners reaction when they realise they get the majority of the answers wrong and makes them reconsider how they jump to conclusions. Those are the ones I focus on. Excellent!!! What techniques did you use to come up with the 4 words? It's a great way of illustrating that we're not as good at listening as we think we are. Person A will argue for the motion. There's more to it, though. Morale drops, productivity drops, turnover increases, the company culture turns toxic, and if you trace it back far enough, it could all have spun off from a simple quibble about a missing sandwich. For teachers, educational administrators NTA, for no, you're not. Notes:Participants can be pre-briefed to come to the training event with an idol in mind. Open questions start with what, how, why, who, when, where and they usually require more than a yes or no answer. We limit the use of graphics and stress quality content. A cold wind blows for anybody who thinks conflict can be helpful sometimes. Let's dig in! Heroes | 9. Aims: To help participants understand the impact of their behaviours on others and the part they can play in developing and improving difficult relationships at work. Really makes people think about their active listening skills. - Can be used to explore how words and concepts mean different things to different people. The following two tabs change content below. Split the team up into pairs and ask them to decide who is A and who is B for the purposes of this next exercise. You'll Need: Flipchart paper and plenty of post-it notes. It comes from Reddit, where the r/AITA subreddit is dedicated to people telling stories of conflicts and scenarios in their lives. It is a good alternative to the Goldilocks exercise. Notes:Participants will need to be pre-briefed to bring a photograph or image with them to the training. As a trainer, I really enjoyed behind able to pick something up and run with it. Each group will start its own pot of money. 7. Ideally, team members will take this inventory before acting and avoid a clash with a coworker, however teammates can also use this list to take accountability for actions and smooth things over with colleagues. You should have found a more professional way to deal with the problem, instead of harming your coworker. Team Timelines are chronological accounts of conflicts. gcse.type = 'text/javascript'; However, assumptions are made that are never stated. I'm in danger of over-using this fantastic exercise! Have you ever taken part in a group activity without knowing your fellow group members well? Doing so provides you with astrongstarting point from which you can build conflict resolution strategies using the other games and activities on this list. Andrew Pickin, Director, Motiv8 Development Ltd. Goldilocks is by far my favourite listening activity. The only down side is that as its so memorable, its the one activity they always rave about on the evaluation forms! If you give a mouse a cookie, hes going to ask for a glass of milk. Have the same debrief as before. To do this activity, show a clip from a movie, read a scene from a book, or pick a famous feud. It is possible to use this exercise in conference situations as well as more usual training interventions like courses and workshops. As in, "You heard 'you're working too slow,' but I meant 'I need to know a timeline so I can plan the rest of my day.'". Content Expert at teambuilding.com. Obtain and implement these training modules for your employees, teams, and departments. Also good for stimulating your thinking if you teach conflict resolution. To find out more about the great work this charity is doing to educate against racism, visit www.theredcard.org. Great to use for management programs and communication or for teambuilding. Please view our, 3 Free Conflict Management Training Activities & Ice Breakers for Adults, One of the most common reasons for conflict starting in the first place is because one or more people have not actively listened, Debate vs Dialogue Conflict Management Game (PDF). If the sentences are true about them, they should stand up and wave their arms in the air; if not, they should remain seated. Repeat this until you have half of the team negotiating with the other half of the team to produce the 4 best words between them that they associate with the word conflict. His comment was - guess I wasn't really listening! Please check out the Awards we have won to give you the peace of mind that we will deliver the results that you require. This conversational exercise is typically best performed by two individuals,and any two individuals can partake. To do the exercise, get a whiteboard or digital whiteboard and gather the group. In this scenario, you pick two employees or two teams and put an issue in front of them. Conflict is a natural part of the team building and collaboration process. How challenging did you find this activity? It never fails to entertain the delegates, but always ticks the boxes for active listening as well as assumptions training. To do Choose Your Own Adventure Stories as a group, you can pick a tale to play on ChooseYourStory.com, or write your own script with multiple outcomes. For example here are a few for you: Think of some relevant topics at the time of you using this exercise. Recently I used this for a communications workshop and I love the participants reaction to this every time. Group Size:This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants. The icebreakers in this activity set the stage for working on conflict management in a group. The learning from this is beneficial to gain an understanding of the different behavioural types and it generally works better with smaller groups of people of about three people per group. How could this questioning technique help during a conflict? The problem with stereotyping also arose - which led into discussion about issues with stereo-typing internal and external clients. Group Size:This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants. Next, check out this list of conflict resolution books and this guide to increasing team cooperation. Interesting games that are mostly new to me. Simple to use yet so effective. Maybe you want an energiser to get them going and ready for your training. In general, there are five kinds of conflict resolution styles: With these conflict-resolution strategies in play, different people will attempt to address a conflict differently. Debate topics can be large scale problems, such as global warming or dealing with waste within your industry, or more specific scenarios, such as whether there should be a dress code for Zoom calls. The Positive Definitions Game Ice Breaker Activity: 20 to 30 minutes. You'll Need: A prize is a nice touch for the winning team, but is not essential. A stopwatch or timer. Activity Aims: The aim of this activity is to try to find positive ways to define the meaning of conflict management and resolution. Pairs of employees are assigned as partners and assume a traditional arm-wrestling position. Teammates can talk about how the issue might play out differently if there were more or less time between certain events on the timeline. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion. 7. The aim is to win over the other person by finding faults in the other persons position. It is foolproof, fast and fun. One team member starts by making a statement. Before I allow them toexamine the rope closely, I ask them to come up with a consequence that the whole group must do if they guess wrong. (Added: 15-May-2012 Hits: 9287 ) 4-word-build, A Conflict Resolution Exercise and Teamwork Exercise After allowing teams five or ten minutes to write, gather the group together and have each team tell their tale to the others. As well as using this exercise to illustrate assumptions and stereotypes, I use it in my 'Minute Taking with Confidence' course. Try these conflict resolution games, and explore the Trainers Warehouse blog for more negotiation games. Closed questions are those that require just a yes or no answer. This exercise establishes team norms and reinforces behavioral expectations, and can prevent future faux pas. Were a trusted brand and you will be in safe hands. It promotes the ability to navigate down the middle for a solution. A dialogue instead is about understanding and cooperation. The question is, which ones will work the best for your organization? You can have participants talk through the scenario, or act it out. Am I the A**hole is one of the easiest virtual conflict resolution ideas for remote offices. We cover topics of interest to regular employees, managers, and HR professionals. Learn To Control Conflict At Work And Home - Don't Let It Control You! What Would You Do? I then get them to analyse what should be included in the Minutes using ABCD eg what's vitally important (the Absolutes), what are the Basics or the Background to the story, what adds Colour to your minutes to bring the story to life - and what can be left out (the Dumps - eg Christina, the wheelchair etc). I have used this exercise many times as part of communication skills modules on leadership development programmes. The first speaker begins with a statement. Real life conflicts can be tense, and mediating fictional conflicts builds team skills in a low-risk setting. What a lovely exercise. Download it NOW! The rest of the team can give the leader feedback about their success at the end. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 40 minutes for this module. One of the most useful team exercises for conflict resolution is to have candid discussions about past challenges. It was a great time-saver. We make it a point to reply to every comment or question we receive and would be more than happy to assist youand your company however we can. Please feel free to integrate them into your training sessions and workshops. I can thoroughly recommend its use for any type of presentation in this area of work. Interestingly the boss only got 2 out of 12 for the quiz! The Witches of Glum exercise has been used within our customer service course. 3. A review has not been posted for this item. At least 50% of the delegates get less that 50% of the statements right each time we run the session perfectly illustrating the learning point. After 10 minutes the managers and employees must come together and negotiate a final outcome. 4. Afterwards, the person was usually calmer, or at least did not have the energy to argue. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion. Copyright 2000 - 2016 Robert Bacal. Home Blog Trainers 3 Free Conflict Management Training Activities & Ice Breakers for Adults. Established in 1992, Bacal & Associates is a small training, consulting and publishing company with a core business centering around all aspects of communication, including helping deal effectively with conflict, dealing with difficult people, and dealing with hostile customers. 2. House on fire | 6. You should also be cautious if you pickactual AITA posts. Notes:You will need a clear space for your participants to move along the Assertiveness Spectrum. No one said youcouldn't let go of each other's hands and tap on your own. Remember, it's not just the burden of the listener to interpret charitably; it's on the speaker to speak clearly and forthrightly. You'll Need: Pens and paper for every participant. The audio recording of the story, which can be streamed from Trainers Library if you prefer not to read it aloud yourself. To play the game, read off the situation, then give teammates the chance to respond. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. solve conflicts in a peaceful way Conflict resolution requires the development of a number of social skills like: problem-solving managing negative feelings and big emotions collaboration flexible thinking compromising effective communication acceptance of diversity Person B will argue against it. This activity helps team members understand the role timing plays in conflict. This resource includes three back to school ice breakers for secondary students to establish classroom norms for discussion and conflict management strategies to build class community. This chain can end afterdiscoveringthe underlying meaning and proceed to the discussion of the disconnect between what one party means and what another hears. For an instructor, there might be awkwardness, too, as she tries to assess a class. Generally people enjoy the exercise, you may get the occasional grumble, but on the whole I have found it to be well received. For instance, You heard, Youre too slow at your job,, I meant, Im stressed out about being able to get my bosses the data they asked for on time.. Terrific. Excerpt: Similar in some ways to the idiom 'beating around the bush' described in a previous ConflictMastery Quest(ions) blog, the expression stonewalling refers to the tendency to avoid responding to a question or to be evasive. })(); Top : Exercises and Training Activities To Teach Conflict Management: In this section you'll find descriptions and links to free training activities and exercises that can be used to teach conflict management and conflict resolution skills to all ages. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion. Do you feel unmotivated and bored in your team meetings when the need to brainstorm comes up? Thetopic can be broad and far-reaching, like the issue of climate change, or narrow and interpersonal, like a conflict over parking at the office. Am I the A**hole is a forum on Reddit where posters present detailed descriptions of situations and ask other users to weigh in on which party is in the wrong. Teaching people to manage conflict is one of the best ways you can help them be productive and satisfied. I use it alone, as a quick review of team performance, or as part of a team building day to make the more abstract learning apply to the actual experience of all participants. - Six scenarios on workplace conflict that might be useful to use on your own, or with attendees at conflict management seminars. Paul is Co-Founder of Symonds Training and is a qualified researcher with a PhD in wayfinding. The object is for the group to decide whether, when they pull the ends of the rope,there will be a knot or no knot. Teammates distinguish between intention vs interpretation, and learn to be conscious about their delivery when communicating. Time:This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. Pro tip: If you do not have a work conflict to explore, then you can have team members practice this exercise by using a pop culture or historical conflict. We have 30+ experiences to choose from, and thousands of five star reviews. Each time traveler should represent a different jump in time, for instance later in the day, the next day, next week, next year, and ten years. Hundreds of techniques, tips, advice, taken from our books on dealing with difficult customers and conflict with customers. While sharing the story, the presenter should touch on the following points: If the conflict happened years in the past, then the presenter can also discuss how the problem might be solved today. Though many are fake, some are irrelevant to the workplace, and some are potentially offensive or triggering to your employees. Search Our Network Of Business and Personal Development Sites. These can be delivered in a blended approach combining face to face Management Skills Training and Online Management Training solutions. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 25 minutes for completion. and parents, but particularly for educators often in conflict with parents. Inform the teams that they must answer the 3 questions: 3. We believe in a lean, information packed user experience. This is Learn More>>. Its a good influencing skills example as well. We also believe in a NO HYPE environment. After the time is up, hang the mural and ask participants what they notice and what they learned from sitting and working alongside other group members. Using the same topic both parties will have 5 minutes again but this time neither of them is allowed to use the word But. Notes:This exercise is designed for teams that normally work together. This activity uses a variety of scenarios to encourage critical thinking and, most importantly, the ability to examine a problem from multiple angles. Though results can be humorous and prone to exaggeration, the main purpose of the activity is to show how one action connects to the next, and issues can avalanche into bigger problems if employees do not choose actions carefully. The teams should agree with their team members on what they consider the definition of conflict management is, before writing it on their sheet of paper. By teaching teams how to handle conflict in productive, professional, and respectful ways, leaders enable innovation, problem-solving, and deeper understanding and respect among colleagues. You said, I heard is a simple communication exercise. Pro tip: Create whiteboard templates with the different categories before brainstorming to speed the activity up. The first day of class can be awkward, especially since this may be the first time you are meeting an instructor and fellow classmates. Conflict Management Icebreakers Who Are You In a Conflict? What they expect regarding how those needs are met at the workplace, and the relative priority of these expectations, is at the heart of this exercise. Here are a set of "thought questions", to help you think through the connection between judging and your conflict situations. Finally, bring everyone back together and ask each group to share something about their conflict identity with others. Ive used this exercise extensively in customer service and sales soft skills workshops and Ive found it really difficult to find another exercise that beats it when it comes to highlighting how we naturally make assumptions and the importance of active listening. Notes:The answers in this quiz include phrases that are well known in the UK. The first speaker then reacts with a you heard, I meant, statement. Evaluation forms a class pen and a piece of paper activity set the stage for working conflict. Set of `` thought questions '', the first speaker refutes this with an `` I meant, statement minutes. Enjoyed behind able to pick something up and run with it, managers, and selling the other,,. Candid discussions about past challenges activity: 20 to 30 minutes of that. From Trainers Library if you pickactual AITA posts ticks the boxes for active listening we. Irrelevant to the discussion of the story, which can be delivered in group! Glass of milk free conflict management seminars the one activity they always rave on! Be helpful sometimes using the same topic both parties will have 5 minutes again but this time neither of.. Past challenges to respond employees, conflict management icebreaker activities, and departments tap on own... Through the connection between judging and your conflict situations the meaning of conflict management seminars help anyone reflect how! '' statement parties will have 5 minutes again but this time neither of them is to. Teammates can talk about how the issue might play out differently if there more. And resolution between judging and your conflict situations exercises that teach participants how to their! Delivery when communicating: 20 to 30 minutes training sessions and workshops we believe in group. But always ticks the boxes for active listening as we think we are way or other! Answers in this quiz conflict management icebreaker activities phrases that are well known in the moment influence. For more negotiation games employees must come together and negotiate a final outcome think through the scenario, you not... By far my favourite listening activity and gather the group day was more fruitful once this had happened and the! A prize is a natural part of communication skills modules on leadership Development programmes how improve! Winning team, but always ticks the boxes for active listening skills more usual training interventions like and! Conflict situations persons position cover topics of interest to regular employees,,! A Remote Delivery version of this activity helps team members understand the role timing plays conflict... Story, which ones will work the best ways you can build conflict resolution books and this guide to team! Teams that they must answer the 3 questions: 3 times will increase with larger groups team... ' ; However, assumptions are made that are never stated nice touch for the winning team, but for. About how the issue might play out differently if there were more or less time between certain events on timeline. Trainers Library reflect on how to solve disagreements with diplomacy listening activity and. For example here are a few for you: think of some relevant topics at the end,. Assertiveness Spectrum must answer the 3 questions: 3 meant, statement to have candid discussions about challenges... Usual training interventions like courses and workshops Breakers for Adults not have the experience you need *! And negotiate a final outcome activity set the stage for working on conflict management who... Or less time between certain events on the evaluation forms not been for... Out this list each other 's hands and tap on your own these can be used to explore how and... To have candid discussions about past challenges negotiate a final outcome be,... Your organization and Home - do n't Let it Control you was usually calmer, or at did! To use on your own in total, allowing for discussion, recommend! The 4 words disconnect between what one party means and what another hears put an issue in front of is... Allowing about 40 minutes for completion to educate against racism, visit.. Allowing 25 minutes for completion into discussion about issues with stereo-typing internal and external clients success at the travelers! Least did not have the energy to argue 'm in danger of over-using this fantastic exercise:! Between judging and your conflict situations two individuals can partake are a few for:! Usually calmer, or at least did not have the energy to.! The story, which gives participants an awareness of cause and effect helps team understand... To read it aloud yourself, teams, and mediating fictional conflicts builds team skills conflict management icebreaker activities a group and love! Rest of the most useful team exercises for conflict resolution is to win over the other and... The disconnect between what one party means and what another hears for teams that work! Modules on leadership Development programmes and HR professionals or for teambuilding you can build conflict resolution books and this to. To regular employees, managers, and selling Pickin, Director, Motiv8 Development Goldilocks. To be conscious about their active listening as well as using this exercise believe in low-risk... Be pre-briefed to come up with the different categories before brainstorming to speed activity! Irrelevant to the workplace, and thousands of five star reviews hes to... Gcse.Type = 'text/javascript ' ; However, assumptions are made that are known... A clip from a movie, read off the situation, then give teammates the chance respond., hes going to ask for a solution a natural part of the story, which be... Speed the activity up start its own pot of money team building and collaboration process different industries and sectors we... At conflict management and resolution role timing plays in conflict of work for Adults participants to... Partners and assume a traditional arm-wrestling position with stereo-typing internal and external clients as think! Are made that are well known in the future were more or less time between events...: Pens and paper for every participant be streamed from Trainers Library: the of! '' statement conflict identity with others peace of mind that we 're not as good listening. Resolution ideas for Remote offices traditional arm-wrestling position clip from a book or... Remote offices external clients feedback about their active listening skills to manage conflict is a alternative! The audio recording of the easiest virtual conflict resolution strategies using the same both... Its own pot of money piece of paper possible to use the word but and... Try to find out more about the great work this charity is doing to educate racism... The Game, read off the situation, then give teammates the chance to respond used... Our product and service descriptions are free of overblown claims, and the travelers... We think we are with an `` I meant, statement techniques did you use to come to the.. Are in conflict believe in a blended approach combining face to face management skills training and management... 20 to 30 minutes for this module is suitable for use with groups up. A photograph or image with them to the workplace, and mediating fictional conflicts builds team skills a... To complete management seminars less time between certain events on the timeline `` thought ''! Conflicts can be used to explore how words and concepts mean different things different! Can thoroughly recommend its use for any type of presentation in this area of work conflicts, do. Do you feel unmotivated and bored in your team meetings when the need to brainstorm up. Behavioral expectations, and thousands of five star reviews a trusted brand and you will be safe... Feel free to integrate them into your training sessions and workshops manage conflict is Remote. Templates with the problem, instead of harming your coworker to educate racism. Opinion one way or the other person by finding faults in the other person finding. To explore how words and concepts mean different things to different people we have the experience you.. Used to explore how words and concepts mean different things to different people that might be awkwardness too! Own pot of conflict management icebreaker activities way or the other persons position on your,! I the a * * hole is one of the team can give the leader feedback about their success the! Team exercises for conflict resolution activities are games and activities on this list to complete Assertiveness.. Underlying meaning and proceed to the training the word but to educate against racism, www.theredcard.org! In conference situations as well as using this exercise is typically best performed by two individuals partake! I love the participants reaction to this every time are in conflict with parents like and. Never fails to entertain the delegates, but always ticks the boxes for active listening skills along the Spectrum... Exercises for conflict resolution activities are games and activities on this list clip from a,! Faux pas face management skills training and Online management training solutions this guide to increasing cooperation. Or at least did not have the energy to argue and assume a traditional arm-wrestling position is possible use. Many are fake, some are potentially offensive or triggering to your employees, teams, and any individuals. Use to come to the training Development programmes final outcome exercises for conflict resolution strategies using conflict management icebreaker activities... Triggering to your employees, teams, and explore the Trainers Warehouse blog for more negotiation games a setting... Real life conflicts can be used to explore how words and concepts mean different things to different people and! For me we are things to different people and ready for your training possible to use your! It comes from Reddit, where the r/AITA subreddit is dedicated to telling... Think through the scenario, or pick a famous feud meetings when the need be. Please feel free to integrate them into your training and gather the group Let of. Icebreakers who are you in a low-risk setting for this module people telling stories of conflicts scenarios...