Conflict & Collaboration
Working Through Workplace Conflict
Surface concerns early, calm tense situations, and agree on next steps when conflict arises at work.
Standard version
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Through relevant workplace examples, this course develops skills in constructive responses to workplace conflict. Participants learn to surface concerns, de-escalate tension, and agree on next steps, with a focus on practical follow-through.
What you'll learn
- Leverage potential conflict situations as opportunities for critical conversations that enhance work relationships
- Gain confidence in holding difficult conversations calmly and assertively
- Manage conflict situations proactively
- Use course methods to surface concerns, de-escalate tension, and agree on next steps in a workplace scenario.
- Develop a conflict conversation plan aligned to a relevant work need.
What you'll be able to do
- Identify a workplace need connected to constructive responses to workplace conflict.
- Select an appropriate way to surface concerns, de-escalate tension, and agree on next steps.
- Explain the reasoning behind that choice and identify its limitations.
- Produce a conflict conversation plan that addresses a relevant work need.
- Set review points for a conflict conversation plan and identify one adjustment.
Conflict is a normal part of working in any agency, and how it is handled affects morale, productivity, and trust. This course helps federal employees and leaders surface concerns, de-escalate tension, and agree on next steps. It supports the communication and collaboration topics within OPM's Senior Executive Development Program (SEDP) focus area, Leading Through Complexity.
What you'll learn
- Identify common sources of conflict in federal workplaces.
- Recognize different conflict styles and their effects.
- Apply techniques to de-escalate tension and surface concerns.
- Hold difficult conversations calmly and assertively.
- Develop an approach for resolving conflict proactively.
What you'll be able to do
- Address conflict early and directly.
- De-escalate tense situations.
- Find common ground and agree on next steps.
- Know when to involve a supervisor or HR.
- Maintain productive working relationships after conflict.