Yesterday I conducted a training session for about 50 QUT Masters Students on the topic of How to Manage Conflict in the Workplace. The students were all professionals among them doctors, nurses, managers and department heads. They came from all over the world including India, China, Solomon Islands, New Zealand and Australia.
It was a wonderful session and the students were fully engaged and enthusiastic. They asked many questions throughout the presentation and I was gratified to receive a rousing ovation at the end.
The session included discussion on the statistics of conflict in the workplace, as well as how to prevent it – both individually and as a team/organization. We then moved on to develop strategies on how to manage conflict when it arises both internally and externally.
I then set up a role play to illustrate how a mediation proceeds from the start to agreement. Several students came up to me during and after the session to have further discussion and to find out how to get in touch with me so they could discuss issues which were occurring at their workplace.
Several students were kind enough to tell me that the session was not only a good reminder for them personally as to how to manage themselves, but how to manage a workplace and deal with conflict.
As I strolled back to my car, I really felt that I had achieved my purpose and helped various people and organizations learn how to manage and resolve conflict.
After that presentation, I then gave free legal advice to grandparents who were raising their grandchildren. Overall, it was a wonderful fulfilling day!