Trainings

For nearly thirty years, the Dispute Settlement Center has trained individuals and groups in business, nonprofit organizations and government. Learning how to handle conflict better can enhance productivity and workplace harmony. We can custom-tailor communication, conflict management, and mediation trainings for your organization. Or, sign up for one of our trainings open to the public. (See our Upcoming Trainings Page for our current training schedule).

Trainings to be arranged:

• Introduction to Conflict Resolution
• Communication and Conflict Resolution Skills
• Advanced Conflict Management Skills for the Workplace


• Family Communication Workshop
• Conflict Resolution for Educators
• Introduction to Mediation Skills
• Advanced Mediation Skills
• Meeting Facilitation Skills
• Advanced Facilitation Skills
• Difficult Workplace Issues: Strategies and Support for Managers and Supervisors

Introduction to Conflict Resolution

This one-hour workshop provides an overview of the Center's one-day Communication and Conflict Management Skills workshop.

Participants will:

• gain a greater awareness of conflict and how it affects us;
• explore several ways to respond to conflict;
• become aware of a collaborative model for dealing with conflict; and
• become familiar with the Dispute Settlement Center's services to the community.

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Communication and Conflict Resolution Skills

Participants explore the nature of conlict in various settings and recognize the value of good communication skills in applying different approaches to conflict. The workshop is interactive with discussion and activities.

The following specific points are covered:

• conflict as opportunity;
• six-step collaborative problem-solving model;
• five conflict 'styles' and how/when to use them;
• recognizing and responding to interests and feelings versus positions and thoughts;
• the 'assert and defend' cycle;
• asking and listening; and
• effective handling of emotions and conflict.

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Advanced Conflict Management Skills for the Workplace

To create or maintain positive work environments we must be able to identify conflict resolution styles that are used in the workplace, be able to work with “difficult” behaviors and provide effective feedback. Participants will apply skills learned in previous conflict resolution skills training and practice advanced conflict management techniques that are specific to workplace challenges.

In this workshop we will use interactive activities, as well as facilitated discussion to explore ways to deal effectively with workplace conflicts. Each participant will also receive a one hour, one-on-one conflict coaching session with an experienced mediator/coach.

(Prerequisite: Conflict Management/Resolution Skills training)

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 Family Communication Workshop

Teens and parents have lots of conflicts. This interactive 12-week series is an opportunity for family members, specifically parents/guardians to learn some communication and negotiation skills with their teens aged 12-17.

Participants will:

• understand conflict and how it affects relationships;
• learn and practice skills to handle conflict more effectively;
• improve communications with the entire family; and
• manage anger and maintain a peaceful presence.

(Support provided by DJJDP, Triangle United Way, the Fox Foundation, and the Goren Foundation.)

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Conflict Resolution for Educators (One day)

This training is designed to aid teachers, group leaders and anyone who works with youth in managing conflict within their group. Through interactive activities, discussion, and materials, the participants will leave the group with a better understanding of conflict, its effects on a group, and ways to manage conflict so it becomes productive as opposed to destructive.

Participants will:

• explore and practice basic conflict management concepts and skills; and
• apply skills and concepts to different conflicts within the educational setting through the use of role plays and activities.

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Introduction to Mediation Skills (Two days)

Mediation skills can be applied within a wide variety of situations: an employee dispute, a community controversy or a quarrel between family members. The mediator, acting as an impartial third party, facilitates communication between the disputants. The mediator neither makes decisions nor acts as an advocate, but rather supports the disputants to reach their own solution.

Presentations on the mediation process will be alternated with opportunities to practice the process through role plays. These role plays will be supervised by experienced DSC mediators who will offer feedback and support.

Participants will:

• learn to serve as an impartial facilitator who supports and empowers others in resolving their conflicts;
• practice discovering people's real interests which are hidden behind demands and ultimatums;
• practice reflective listening skills, asking effective questions, and reframing conflict;
• observe a mediation demonstration; and
• practice the six-step mediation process.

(Prerequisite: Communication and Conflict Management/Resolution Skills training
or Conflict Resolution for Educators training)

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Advanced Mediation Skills

Participants who are trained mediators will explore current topics in mediation, enhance their mediation skills and hear from a panel of experenced DSC mediators in this 3-hour session. (CLEs available)

(Prerequisite: Introduction to Mediation Skills training, with some mediation experience).

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Meeting Facilitation Skills (Two-day)

People active in all kinds of organizations need to know how to plan and conduct effective meetings.

Participants in this workshop acquire tools for enhancing commitment, communication, and conflict resolution in the groups to which they belong, while developing their ability to serve in the role of meeting facilitator.

Participants will:

• learn and practice basic conflict management concepts and skills;
• know five key elements of a successful meeting and how to achieve them;
• see techniques demonstrated for preventing and intervening against common meeting problems;
• learn how to contribute to the building of group consensus through skillful communication, meeting preparation, and process management; and
• practice and receive coaching in group consensus-building skills.

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Advanced Facilitation Skills

Join DSC staff and other experienced facilitators for this thought-provoking program. Attendees will raise issues of interest, quickly choose a focus for the session, and then explore possibilities for more effective facilitation practice. Expect to share, and to see and hear how your facilitation colleagues are meeting challenges, testing new ideas and approaches, rediscovering fundamentals, and service the groups that depend on us.

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Difficult Workplace Issues: Strategies and Support for Managers and Supervisors

Those who manage people are faced with numerous challenges including dealing with difficult personalities and interpersonal conflict within a work team. Join your peers in a small group setting to discuss helpful strategies.

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For more information, contact Julie Potts at jpotts@disputesettlement.org.

Sample list of training clients:

UNC Law School
UNC School of Public Health
UNC Public Safety
Duke University
SAS Institute
Chapel Hill Housing
Research Triangle Institute
Bowman Gray School of Medicine
NC Association of Rehabilitation Facilities
OPC Mental Health Area Programs
Person County Health Department
Day Care Services
US-EPA
Town of Hillsborough
Alliance for AIDS Services
Natural Resources Leadership Institute
Weaver Street Market
Whole Foods Markets

Need a training for your group? Tell us more - dowload our Training Inquiry form.

Would you like to register for a training? Download our Training Registration form

DSC : Trainings

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