Lunch + Learn: Conflict Resolution in Business

All leaders in business—large or small—experience varying levels of conflict on a regular basis. Many people in the face of conflict either retreat from it, or become overly aggressive when addressing it. These two common responses more often than not are detrimental to an organization’s culture, and ultimately its efficacy and productivity. Those who are able to reframe conflict through a constructive lens, finding ways for their organization and the people within it to benefit and learn from varying conflicts, overwhelmingly reap the benefits which include a more open, dialogical, and trust-filled organizational culture (among a myriad of other benefits). As a result, people tend to more intrinsically motivate, heightening productivity, ethical practice, and overall quality of work.

This hour long session will introduce participants to the concept of “reframing conflict” and offer suggestions for developing one’s “conflict competencies” so that they can be a more effective and resonate leader in their organization, as well as with their business partners and clients outside of their organization.
_______________
Tyler Olson (a.k.a. “Ty”) is a professional conflict engagement consultant, professor, trainer, and coach. He is the founder and director of (re)Frame Conflict. Additionally, he is the program manager and a part-time professor for Cuyahoga Community College’s Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies certificate program.

Originally hailing from the Pacific Northwest (Oregon and Washington States) Ty relocated to Cleveland Heights, Ohio, in 2013. His mission is to reframe conflict—interpersonal and organizational—as an opportunity for positive change and growth, as opposed to being viewed as something always destructive to be avoided. From his professional and research-based perspective, constructive conflict “engagement” does not always lead to “resolution,” but the opportunity for resolution, and even transformation, are higher when intentional relationship building, careful management, and/or strategic escalation are employed.

Ty is dedicated to promoting social justice, facilitating healthy community building and engagement, and empowering folks to create positive and sustainable change in their social contexts. He has a cat named Kyrie, a Smart Car named Avery, loves yoga, travel, and reading. He holds an MA from Portland State University in Conflict Resolution, and BA from George Fox University in Religious Studies, and is currently working on a PhD in Leadership and Change at Antioch University.”

• What to bring

• Important to know