DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS

Productive Conflict

Our most popular modular course since lockdown in 2020.

Why? We are repeatedly told that work environments are not toxic and filled with mean spirited conflict but, instead, are challenged by lack of healthy conflict – leading to over-work, feeling unheard, dissatisfied and upset

There are lots of symptoms of lack of productive conflict.

Do any of the below apply to you? 

  • Slow execution

  • Dull meetings 

  • Lack of creativity 

  • Coming back to the same issues again and again 

  • All voices not feeling heard in meetings 

  • Groups of good people who have made poor decisions 

  • Interpersonal issues taking up HR time 

  • All roads leading to the leader – the leader has to step in to mediate or made the final decision 

  • High levels of sickness 

  • Poor retention 

  • Stress 

If so, there is a huge amount to gain from developing productive conflict skills.    

Conflict is an inevitable part of human interaction, both in personal and professional settings. How we approach and manage conflict makes an enormous difference in its outcome. In Productive Conflict we equip your team with the skills to share their viewpoints honestly and openly, to have the conflict and come through it with no damage to the relationship, often, in fact, with a stronger relationship and a better outcome. 

Course Objectives

  • Understanding Conflict:
    Understand the nature of conflict and how this impacts us physically and emotionally. 

  • Conflict Styles:
    Learn about different conflict resolution styles and identify your personal conflict style, as well as those of others. 

  • The Empathy Sequence™ Communication model:
    Learn our powerful, repeatable communication model for handling conflicts 

  • The Boundary Setting Model:
    Learn an effective model for setting boundaries 

  • Assertive vs Aggressive:
    Learn the difference and how to occupy the assertive rather than aggressive style of communication 

  • Role play:
    Lock in the learning with realistic role play with our skilled business role play actors and true to life scenarios 

Course Benefits

Upon completion of the course, participants can expect to have: 

  • Improved ability to handle conflict.

  • Confidence in addressing conflict. 

  • Better results from conflict situation.

  • Greater courage to speak up. 

  • Minimize the negative impact of conflicts

  • A more positive and productive work environment. 

  • Saved time, energy and stress. 

Would you like to help your team develop productive conflict skills?

If so, get in touch for a confidential 20 minute chat to help identify your best next steps.

Productive conflict training FAQs

Frequently asked questions about the Productive Conflict programme. Click the + to see more details and feel free to contact us if you have more questions.

  • A productive conflict workshop teaches participants how to manage disagreements constructively and use conflict as a tool for growth, creativity, and better decision-making. The workshop helps participants to understand how to approach conflict in ways that promote positive outcomes rather than disruption.  When participants know they can handle any ‘emotional’ conflict issues, they have more confidence to address differences at work rather than wasting time, energy and emotion in avoiding difficult topics with others.  

  • We have a tool-based approach.  Participants will learn a repeatable tool for handling emotional, difficult conversations and ensure this is productive conflict rather than resorting to avoidance or disruptive conflict. 

    Our workshops cover key areas such as understanding different conflict styles, recognizing triggers and improving emotional intelligence. We believe in ‘learn by doing’ - participants will practice the communication tool in realistic role play exercises with our business role play actors.  Live feedback and coaching in realistic scenarios build critical behavioural muscle memory as well as confidence.

  • Workshops are offered in several formats, including live virtual sessions, in-person workshops, and hybrid models.

    Each workshop includes a mix of presentations, group exercises, role-playing scenarios, and discussions to ensure active engagement and hands-on learning.

  • Yes, the course is CPD accredited.

  • These workshops are ideal for employees, managers, and teams at all levels who want to improve communication, reduce tension, and turn conflicts into opportunities for collaboration. They are particularly beneficial for teams and employees that frequently work together on complex projects, as well as leaders or managers seeking to create a more cohesive and resilient workplace.

  • Yes, we provide participants with repeatable, memorable tools for navigating difficult conversations in a constructive and positive manner.

  • Our productive conflict workshops are typically half-day (3 hours) or full-day (6–8 hours) sessions, depending on the depth of content you wish to cover. 

  • Yes, our workshops are highly interactive and designed to engage participants. Activities include small-group discussions, role-playing exercises, case studies, and real-life conflict scenarios. This hands-on approach allows participants to practice skills and get immediate feedback from instructors and peers.

  • Absolutely. This is done by ensuring the role play exercises used in your session are relevant to participants’ roles and particular types of potential conflict situations.

  • Participants leave with a better understanding of their own conflict styles, improved communication skills, and practical strategies for managing conflict in a productive way. The workshop helps foster a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and collaborative problem-solving in the workplace. 

  • Any group of people working intensively towards a goal will have differences of opinion.  If conflict isn’t happening then time, energy and resources are likely being wasted in avoidance.  We frequently work with teams who do not have any open conflict.  Following the workshop, they are willing and able to address potentially controversial topics more directly and with confidence.  These are some of the teams that benefit most from this workshop.

  • By learning to address conflict openly and constructively, team members build trust, improve communication, and increase collaboration. These workshops help teams move past common roadblocks, enabling them to focus on shared goals and make better, faster decisions.

  • Cultural differences are important to understand in all difficult conversations.  This is why our Understanding Cultural Differences module sits alongside this Productive Conflict module.  Contact Us and we would be happy to explain more about how these two modules connect. 

  • Yes, understanding personal conflict styles is a core part of our workshops. Participants take a conflict style assessment and learn how their approach affects interactions with others, which helps them adapt their style for more effective communication.

  • Yes, we provide follow-up resources including a downloadable takeaway guide to using the conflict tools and tips for applying in the workplace.  If further support is needed, we offer additional coaching and advanced workshops to support teams as they continue to work on conflict management.