Adalbert Conflict Consulting

Whether your organization is going through a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or other change initiative, conflict will naturally arise as a byproduct of the process. Rather than wait until these small glitches become major team dysfunctions, bring Adalbert Conflict Consulting in at the beginning stages to smooth out the bumps that keep your change initiative from achieving success.

Organization development seeks to bring out the best in employees. With a focus on effective human dynamics, we use various assessments to design and implement interventions which create stress hardiness and forward thinking in your teams.

Conflict between employees can occur for many reasons. Sometimes it is a difference in communication style, other times it can be a difference in values. Workplace conflict typically arises from misunderstandings or misinterpretations of words and actions. It's not long until the people involved move into polarized positions and the conflict seems unsolvable. At this point, mediation by Adalbert Conflict Consulting can be a powerful tool for 'saving face' and creating a comfortable working relationship.

Mediation is a confidential process where employees in conflict can create their own solutions to their issues. Although a mediator does not suggest solutions to the issues (see Performance Coaching, below), she does facilitate clear communication between employees, helps them brainstorm possibilities,  and helps them 'reality check' their solutions. Most importantly, a mediator uses ground rules of behavior to be sure that everyone is comfortable with the process.

There are many layers of benefits derived from mediation. Not only do employees come up with solutions for which they have ownership, but they also get real-life practice in effective communication and ways of work ing together. Most importantly, they begin to redevelop the trust that may have been lost during the conflict.

Managing others can be a difficult and frustrating process. A manager can get caught up in day-to-day issues and lose sight of the bigger picture. Performance coaching partners a Manager or Executive with a coach to bring that bigger picture back into focus. At that point, it is possible to identify issues and begin to implement strategies for improvement.

What makes performance coaching with Adalbert Conflict Consulting successful is that we offer insight into the interpersonal dynamics of the workplace. Most managers have a clear sense of how a workplace 'should' be, but unfortuntely it can feel like people 'get in the way.' Teaming up with a coach can help a manager understand the people issues around him/her and develop skills that impact the team.

Performance coaching can be initiated by an individual or through his/her Manager or HR department. Often, it is done in conjunction with a customized 360 feedback instrument to define coaching goals. A project plan is developed outlining goals, number of sessions, and time frame for completion. Tools used include review of 'best practice' materials, analysis of case studies, real-time learning through workplace situations, and Learn-Do-Reflect adult education models. All work is in alignment with the project plan goals and benchmarks.

Sometimes, conflict in the workplace can be a simple lack of appropriate skills. When this is the case, training classes are the ideal way to bring everyone up to the same level. Trainings provided by Adalbert Conflict Consulting are tailored to fit your specific organization's needs. Our trainings are not 'off the shelf,' but rather reflect your team's situation as identified through assessment and dialogue. Some of the current topics offered are:

• Performance Appraisal Skills for Managers
• Creating and Delivering Strategic Presentations
• Communicating for Success
• Delegating 101
• Preventing Workplace Violence
• Managing in a Virtual Environment
• Conflict Management for Managers
• Saying Less IS saying More: Listening Skills that help you get what you want
• Understanding Culture in the Workplace
• Assessing Conflict in a Team: How and When a Manager can intervene effectively
• Effective Meetings: Keys to effective organization, facilitation, and control

If this list doesn't address your concern, feel free to contact us about other possible topics.

How can a Manager/Executive facilitate a critical meeting if he/she also needs to have a voice in that meeting? Group dynamics can create myriad challenges when it is perceived that the person leading the meeting also expects the group to accept her/his opinions. We see such behaviors as resistence, passive-aggressiveness, and stonewalling (silence). All these behaviors lead to strategies which are enacted for a short while but seem to quickly 'fade away.'

Let Adalbert Conflict Consulting send an experienced facilitator to help your team unearth and test possible solutions to your specific issues. When everyone is given the opportunity to voice their opinions and is held accountable for those opinions, the decisions reached reflect common values and goals.

Whether it's a department meeting or a yearly retreat, we can help you design a process that will get you where you want to go!