I created this presentation for the 2013 Christian Child and Family Services Association Annual Conference.

1. A Safe and Peaceful
Workplace
Matthew Dodd, Ph.D.
Duncum Center for Conflict Resolution
Abilene, Texas
April 30, 2013

2. A Safe and Peaceful
Workplace
Matthew Dodd, Ph.D.
Duncum Center for Conflict Resolution
Abilene, Texas
April 30, 2013
Professional
Services
Mediation
Facilitation
Training
Consulting
Academic
Department
Online Classes
Certificate in CR
Masters Degree in
CRR
Mediation Training

3. Today’s Objectives
• What is Conflict?
• Creating a Safe Workplace
• Conflict Management Styles
• Finding Peace in the Workplace
• Managing Conflict Well

4. What is Conflict?
Is Conflict Good or Bad?
Peace is NOT
the absence of conflict

5. What is Conflict?
Conflict is:
“an expressed struggle between at
least two interdependent parties who
perceive incompatible goals, scarce
resources, and interference from the
other party in achieving goals.”
p. 9, Wilmot & Hocker, 2007

6. Stress
“arises when the perceived demands of a
situation exceed the perceived capabilities
for meeting the demands” p. 315, Walker & Brokaw, 1995
• Eustress – motivation
• Distress – out of control
• Hyperstress – overload
• Hypostress – underload

7. Coping Mechanisms
How do you cope with stress?...
4 Major Categories of Stress Management:
• Behavioral Coping
• Cognitive Coping
• Problem-Focused Coping
• Emotion-Focused Coping
Van Vleet, 2011

8. Anger
“A strong feeling of displeasure; a synonym
for antagonism and rage.” p. 205, Cahn & Abigail, 2007
3 Processes to Deal with Anger:
1. Anger-Ins
2. Anger-Outs
3. Anger Controllers

9. A “Safe” Workplace
How do you create a “safe” place to work?
LEADERSHIP = PEACEMAKING
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children
of God.
Matthew 5:9

10. A “Safe” Workplace
How do you create a “safe” place to work?
LEADERSHIP = PEACEMAKING

11. Dual-Concern Mode Analysis
High
Accommodation
Low Concern for Self
High
Avoidance
Competition
Compromise
Collaborate

12. Dual-Concern Mode Analysis
High
Accommodation
Low Concern for Self
High
Avoidance
Competition
Compromise
Collaborate
Justice

13. A Peaceful Workplace

14. “Stupid People”
Attribution Theory: Attribution Error
• If the Other acts good = External Characteristics
• If the Other acts bad = Internal Characteristics
• If I act good = Internal Characteristics
• If I act bad = External Characteristics

15. “Stupid People”
Attribution Theory: Attribution Error
• If the Other does good = External Characteristics
• If the Other acts bad = Internal Characteristics
• If I act good = Internal Characteristics
• If I act bad = External Characteristics

16. Active Listening
• Hearing – the physical process of receiving a sound
• Attending – paying attention to a sound
• Understanding – when we make sense of a
message
• Responding – giving observable feedback
• Remembering – the ability to recall information

17. S-T-L-C
Stop – learn to control yourself
Think – think about your goals / wants /
needs and those of the other party
Listen – listen for feelings before you
speak
Communicate – consider
consequences of your actions/behaviors

18. Difficult Conversations
The “What happened? Conversation
The Feelings Conversation
The Identity Conversation

19. Thank You!
Question & Answer
Matthew Dodd, Ph.D.
Duncum Center for Conflict Resolution
matt.dodd@acu.edu
(325) 674-2015