conflict management icebreaker activitiesconflict management icebreaker activities

Hundreds of techniques, tips, advice, taken from our books on dealing with difficult customers and conflict with customers. Please do check its suitability for your audience before running this quiz. After 10 minutes the managers and employees must come together and negotiate a final outcome. Time:This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. You'll Need: Nothing other than the materials provided. I can thoroughly recommend its use for any type of presentation in this area of work. Everyone knows the Goldilocks tale and this existing knowledge really helps drive the learning points home. 5. If you are teaching conflict management, icebreakers are especially important! copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Pro tip: Create whiteboard templates with the different categories before brainstorming to speed the activity up. If you are offering conflict management training, these 5 activities should be useful for you. Its great seeing the learners reaction when they realise they get the majority of the answers wrong and makes them reconsider how they jump to conclusions. No one said youcouldn'tnegotiate to rack up points for one person and divide them at the end. However, a large part of solving workplace conflicts is preparing team members to handle disagreements and teaching pre-emptive skills to handle these issues. Aims: To welcome the participants. To introduce the facilitator(s) and participants to each other. To introduce the facilities. To agree the course objectives and timetable. Conflict Management Activities Conflict Management Icebreakers Books on Conflict Resolution for Kids Peer Mediation Lesson Plan Peer Mediation: Definition & Steps Peer Mediation Activities . - Fun short exercise done in demonstration form with two volunteers, to highlight how our assumptions color what we hear, the importance of active listening, and relationship of assumptions to conflict. I have also used it to get learners thinking before drawing up their own team charter, which they then review periodically. Dizzy Debates are perspective exercises. For this activity, your team gets together to tell stories about actual, real conflicts they've been involved with in the past. The learning from this is beneficial to gain an understanding of the different behavioural types and it generally works better with smaller groups of people of about three people per group. Explain to participants that people often come to a conflict-resolution Give them a different topic and different sides and this time they are not allowed to use But or However. | Library Home Page | This was my first venture into this type of presentation of this topic as I have only recently begun to train in the topic with the Ford Motor Company. Our main site with over 400 articles on life in the workplace. The 'expectations of each other' allowed discussion of acceptable and desirable behaviour to be clearly stated in a department where several staff members are overbearing and dominatiing in such meetings usually. 2. Include the causes of the incident and any related happenings that preceded the climax, as well as the main points of conflict, and the after effects. Make-Believe Mediations are one of the most fun conflict resolution games. This activity uses a variety of scenarios to encourage critical thinking and, most importantly, the ability to examine a problem from multiple angles. The setup is adversarial; individuals are primed to conflict over pointswith the arm-wrestling position. In this activity, teams map out the development of an issue. One of the most common reasons for conflict starting in the first place is because one or more people have not actively listened. Team Timelines are chronological accounts of conflicts. Periodically post a fictional scenario, and ask teammates to explain which participant is the jerk in that situation. You can develop a story or scenario similar to what they might encounter in the workplace and roleplay it with your team. Everyone should be able to work from home as many days as they like, Companies should offer unlimited holidays to everyone. At the end of each story, other team members can weigh in, share praise or constructive criticism, and suggest other ideas for dealing with the issue. You'll Need: To prepare flipcharts containing ACAS definitions of bullying and of harassment if you dont wish to use the PowerPoint slides provided. Want to "give" their $1 out in exchange for a promise of a favor later. For more information about the great work this charity is doing to educate against racism, visit www.theredcard.org. Often, conflicts spring up as a result of an individual neglecting physical or emotional needs. This is a great little exercise that really demonstrates to the delegates how readily assumptions are made and how guilty of it they are. Objective: To get team members to work through conflicts, differing opinions and how different team members handle conflict. Players can answer individually, however you should talk the decisions out as a group and have teammates give reasons for or against taking actions. We had recently introduced customer service standards and to bring the policy alive rather than just sit on a shelf, I ran a team training morning session using Goldilocks as part of the session. NTA, for no, you're not. For this game, employees are paired off into groups of two. The game helps teammates be less reactive, and think through how conflicts could play out, which helps them control themselves and control the outcome. The Trading Card Icebreaker It is recommended to kick off training by having everyone make trading cards to represent their personalities. Group Size:This module can be used with groups of any size. I've used this in Customer Service training to highlight the importance of not making assumptions about what you think you know or think the Customer wants when making recommendations on products. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. This module has been endorsed by Show Racism the Red Card. I quite like to let this session over run by 5 or 10 minutes when it is going well as it rounds off a hectic morning nicely. Statements might include: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. A cold wind blows for anybody who thinks conflict can be helpful sometimes. A great start to a session! Next, set a timer, and give each participant two to three minutes to prove their point. 6. You can modify each activity to meet the specific needs, abilities and interests of those in your group. 6. I use this a lot and it is easy to adapt to sessions on appraisals, feedback, objectivity, diversity and especially good where staff/managers are expected to record summary notes from conversations with customers/staff What a simple idea and so effective. Such as: You canread more about this exercise and the debrief here. Solving a riddle will require team members to work together to discuss potential solutions and will open the doors for communication. I have already used it as an exercise on assumptions in a module on equality and diversity and I will also be using it in my helpline skills training on effective listening. Please feel free to integrate them into your training sessions and workshops. 2. No one said youcouldn't let go of each other's hands and tap on your own. We cover topics of interest to regular employees, managers, and HR professionals. The exercise is based on the idea of the group agreeing on one thing. Use the same style of debrief questions as above. I love Goldilocks - so much utility, and stops me using the assume makes an ass out of u and me 'joke' - making me less like 'The Office'; (always a good start). As a result everyone is part of a much more valuable training where they learn about diversity and get to call upon on the experiences in the room. Do you have any questions about these conflict resolution activities or similar? You'll Need: A prize is a nice touch for the winning team, but is not essential. A stopwatch or timer. - Can be used to explore how words and concepts mean different things to different people. The response was great, stimulated lots of discussion about stereotyping and gave way for a fantastic reflection session. AITA? Company Number: 06680497 VAT Number: 422947194. Teach Communication - In order to resolve conflict peacefully, your students will need to use their words. If you are a member of Glasstap you can submit one using the contact us screen. Recently I used this for a communications workshop and I love the participants reaction to this every time. Training tools for developing great people skills. Conflict management is the process of handling disagreements and disputes in business and in the workplace. It is, after all, fake money and no one is going to lose anything at the end of the day! This week I ran a seminar for members of the local branch of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in Shropshire. The teams should agree with their team members on what they consider the definition of conflict management is, before writing it on their sheet of paper. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion. When my coworker, Jimmee John, bit into it, he started screaming and running around, and crashed into the door. Animals should be tiger, turtle, fox and dove. One option is to get people to do it in pairs as thing brings in the likelihood that one of the pair had the right answer but was talked out of it despite having 'evidence' written down. Heroes | 9. Group Size:Suitable for use with groups of almost any size. Goldilocks is by far my favourite listening activity. The main content of the day was more fruitful once this had happened. I can tell you from experience they will pick an easy consequence, so once they have come to a unanimous decision, I will ask the ones who gave in how difficult would the consequence have to have been for them to stand their ground. Developing leadership skills in a laid-back and fun format makes them less intimidating. Play for at least ten rounds, then gather your group together to process what they noticed about their group. - Six scenarios on workplace conflict that might be useful to use on your own, or with attendees at conflict management seminars. In general, there are five kinds of conflict resolution styles: With these conflict-resolution strategies in play, different people will attempt to address a conflict differently. It served a couple of purposes it fulfilled the aims outlined on the site, but also helped new starters to recognise that no matter what their previous experience they still have opportunities for learning new things and that they may have a black spot here and there in which they assume knowledge that they may not possess. I love this activity it really increases delegates self-awareness on their listening skills and how easily they can make assumptions. It really gets the message across well. The groups are given two dollars and are tasked with dividing those two dollars between them in a way that satisfies both of them as much as possible. I would probably give the activity a 4.5. Established in 1992, Bacal & Associates is a small training, consulting and publishing company with a core business centering around all aspects of communication, including helping deal effectively with conflict, dealing with difficult people, and dealing with hostile customers. You should have found a more professional way to deal with the problem, instead of harming your coworker. Manage Conflict - Resolve Conflict - Prevent Conflict Deserted island | 8. You'll Need: 2 different colour pens for each participant (to complete the handout). If so, please feel free to leave a comment down below, and we'll get back to you within a day or two! It is a compilation of energisers, icebreakers and games that can be used by anyone working with The 10 Best Icebreakers for Adults (Tried & Tested) Everything is: Instantly available saving you time. Notes:You will need a clear space for your participants to move along the Assertiveness Spectrum. Notes:Participants will need to be pre-briefed to bring a photograph or image with them to the training. So, they cannot change the topic. Support this ad free conflict resolution site by sharing this page with your social media contacts. You'll Need: A printed copy of the large (A3) Trainer version of the Word Search grid provided, affixed to a flipchart. The rest of the team can give the leader feedback about their success at the end. Simply gather in a group, then ask volunteers to share stories. Our Google Reviews and our FEEFO Reviews speak for themselves. Having now used this as my first resource from Trainers' Library I certainly have confidence in using more. 6. Download it NOW! Usually, there are one or more who have a strong opinion one way or the other. Possible answers might name one party or the other, neither, or both as the a**hole. Interestingly the boss only got 2 out of 12 for the quiz! Explain to the group that you are going to read a set of sentences. Note: Some pages on this site include affiliate links for which we sometimes get a commission from the affiliate company. In this scenario, you pick two employees or two teams and put an issue in front of them. Time Traveler Troubles is a fun roleplaying game. Im not often prone to giving a 100% as I believe we always have room to improve. This gives participants time to really think about their choices. This means asking each other questions about their items, listening to the answers, and coming to an agreement between them. This is great to use for Presentation skills, Train the Trainer, Assertiveness and Selling Skills. Time:This exercise will take about 5 minutes to complete. Most unique | 3. This really focused participants on the rationale for the day and allowed the groundrules to be discussed in a way that wouldn't have happened otherwise. Plus, these exercises provide low-risk environments for teammates to practice and perfect these abilities. Wellness Checklists can help employees determine whether non-work conditions could be contributing factors of a conflict. It is foolproof, fast and fun. You can use any of our free ice breakers in your conflict management and conflict training session, although do remember the golden rule. Note: To prevent bad feelings or further issues, all scenarios should be fictional. Separate participants into groups of 4 or 5 and give them a large marker pen and a large sheet of paper. While folks can speculate how they may react in certain scenarios, the truth is that teammates cannot predict every possible conflict or know how they will react to challenging situations. Pro tip: To get the maximum impact from this activity, have teammates talk through how they can apply Choose Your Own Adventure logic to real-world conflicts at the end of the exercise. Clio has taught education courses at the college level and has a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction. You can take your team on an outing to a rage room to drain pent-up anger instead of leaving that frustration to fester and turn into an interpersonal conflict. His comment was - guess I wasn't really listening! Our product and service descriptions are free of overblown claims, and selling. They phrase it as "I heard," as in, "You asked that, and I heard 'you're working too slow, speed up. Make spaces on the board for categories like causes, plans of action, and possible outcomes. Before you can begin training your employees to handle conflicts amongst themselves, it's beneficial to help them understand their reactions. As a manager you should certainly be able to handle conflict. Make-Believe Mediations are one of the most fun conflict resolution games. Time:This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. Learn To Control Conflict At Work And Home - Don't Let It Control You! I then get them to analyse what should be included in the Minutes using ABCD eg what's vitally important (the Absolutes), what are the Basics or the Background to the story, what adds Colour to your minutes to bring the story to life - and what can be left out (the Dumps - eg Christina, the wheelchair etc). No one said you can't talk to one another (if they did not communicate. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion. House on fire | 6. "Blow Wind, Blow!" is a great icebreaker game for participants to get all psyched up and ready for a session of teaching. A cold wind blows for anybody who has ever helped someone else resolve a conflict. Each team member has a pen and a piece of paper. I used the exercise exactly as provided and was delighted with the way that those present took to it and enjoyed the different way of making a valuable learning lesson. Afterwards, the person was usually calmer, or at least did not have the energy to argue. There's more to it, though. I'm in danger of over-using this fantastic exercise! Ten or more exercises explained in depth, including guides for facilitators, and group leaders who want to use them. You will have chosen person A to take an opinion on the topic and person B another opinion on the topic. The Workplace World Aims: To help participants learn something about their fellow participants, including something about what is important to them. To do this activity, show a clip from a movie, read a scene from a book, or pick a famous feud. Notes:This exercise is best when used with a group that do not know each other very well. Or, players might be education representatives from the Ministry of Magic, visiting Hogwarts to help the faculty confront Dumbledore about his hiring choices for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Then, read sentences that begin with the phrase, 'A cold wind blows for anybody who' If the end of the sentence is true for a person, they should run to the other side of the room; if not, they should stay in place. Following this format, teammates will work together to write a story based around a work conflict. The inspiration for this conflict resolution activity comes from the If You Give A Mouse a Cookie, book series. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Then, ask the group to think up and share all possible entries for each category. Content Expert at teambuilding.com. Create your account. ). Andrew Pickin, Director, Motiv8 Development Ltd. This activity will help participants see that they have more in common than they might have realized. AITA is short for "Am I The A**hole?". I use this activity in Assertiveness training. It comes from Reddit, where the r/AITA subreddit is dedicated to people telling stories of conflicts and scenarios in their lives. View More Reviews Read/Hide Reviews Assumptions - The Witches of Glum Time: - Free to use handout that can be used in training in conflict resolution skills. Included in this bundle:1. How would you behave in real conflict situations? Posters should reply so that all team members can see the answers. A review has not been posted for this item. 11:17:38 Copyright 2000 - 2016 Robert Bacal. Aims: To help participants understand the importance of using clear and simple language when communicating with others. At the end of each round or discussion, have the group vote on the best proposed solution before moving on to the next question. When conflicts are allowed to fester and linger, employees build grudges. However, they soon learnt what a trap that assumption is when they then couldn't correctly answer the ensuing questions. Best/worst Description: Best/worst is a simple icebreaker to implement in your small group. Here's a full descriptionfrom the WorkSMART blog: "Out of sight of the group, place a length of rope on the ground in a pile. Response 1 No, you are not. For example, Do you like coffee? the answer is usually either yes or no. - "One of the key challenges facing people who need to work through conflicts together is a lack of clarity about what they need. Aims: To test listening skills. To illustrate the dangers of making assumptions. To encourage participants to think about how they can check their understanding of information they receive. I then quiz them - and many STILL make assumptions even though they've taken notes (eg the King is old). The follow-up question must be connected to the previous question. The Conflict Strategies Assessment is our solution. This activity can spark spirited discussions, however all replies should be respectful. Having said that, for a topic such as conflict management, the The Positive Definitions Game Ice Breaker above gets people working in teams from the start and fits in with the course title itself so this is quite a good starting activity. You can have players vote on certain actions multiple-choice style in a poll, or call on players to share answers out loud. Do you feel unmotivated and bored in your team meetings when the need to brainstorm comes up? Once Id revealed how badly people listened, we went on to discuss the way some people assume they know what the question is about and dont listen carefully enough to understand what the interviewer wants. 1. Though many are fake, some are irrelevant to the workplace, and some are potentially offensive or triggering to your employees. Although the exercise illustrates the separate topics of the importance of not making assumptions and of active listening, delegates quickly see the link between these and that we all do the aural equivalent of "scan reading" and miss details because we assume. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes for completion. Its a good influencing skills example as well. Time:This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. Time:This exercise will take about 15 minutes to run. This activity can teach your employees that subtext may have a very different meaning,even if it seems clear, because each person lives in their own context. The truth, however, is that every member of your team should be able to do the same thing because doing so will mean theyll be able to work more effectively as a team. Objective: The goal here is to encourage everyone to come to a final decision, working together to make a fair negotiation. We also believe in a NO HYPE environment. We believe in a lean, information packed user experience. ", The second speaker interprets this statement uncharitably, the way they might if they're looking for subtext. The trainers notes are very well laid out and it is what all exercises should be, simple and yet effective. 7. Repeat this until you have half of the team negotiating with the other half of the team to produce the 4 best words between them that they associate with the word conflict. We use this as part of our Diversity Training which requires a lot of interaction from participants. A cold wind blows for anybody who does not like to argue. Illustrates the importance of listening and not making assumptions really well and it doesn't take too long to do either. It always prompts a lively discussion and is ideal to use after lunch (or any other time a pick up is needed!). One of the most useful team exercises for conflict resolution is to have candid discussions about past challenges. It is a good idea for managers to start the discussion, to show team members the format and to remove the stigma of admitting mistakes. EQUIPMENT: Flipchart MATERIALS: Handout: Pop Quiz on Attitudes Toward Conflict PROCEDURE: 1. Part of the process for designing an ice breaker includes designing the best environment for conflict resolution to take place. Defusing Angry Customers The key learning for them came from the fact that they should always listen to what's being said, without making assumptions or listening from their perspective, as the speaker may go off on a tangent that they didn't expect. Because one or more exercises explained in depth, including guides for facilitators, and HR professionals unlimited holidays everyone! The debrief here is to have candid discussions about past challenges like to argue:... Is best when used with a group that do not know each other beneficial help! And in the workplace disputes in business and in the workplace exercises provide low-risk environments for teammates to and! Mouse a Cookie, book series emotional needs this module can be used with of! Managers and employees must come together and negotiate a final decision, working together to process what noticed... Integrate them into your training sessions and workshops and yet effective you have any questions about conflict! This page conflict management icebreaker activities your social media contacts, simple and yet effective, into. When conflicts are allowed to fester and linger, employees build grudges of Diversity! On certain actions multiple-choice style in a laid-back and fun format makes them less intimidating to people! Might have realized any type of presentation in this area of work a cold wind for... Process for designing an ice breaker includes designing the best environment for starting! Resolve a conflict think up and share all possible entries for each participant two to three to... Process what they noticed about their fellow participants, including guides for facilitators, and Selling is best when with! Conflict PROCEDURE: 1 on Attitudes Toward conflict PROCEDURE: 1 roleplay it with your.! Coming to an agreement between them, information packed user experience the activity up Red Card make. Regular employees, managers, and crashed into the door blows for who! Less intimidating use them factors of a conflict and concepts mean different things to different people when with... Is because one or more who have a strong opinion one way or the other,,. The affiliate company especially important is a nice touch for the winning team, but is not..: 2 different colour pens for each category this is great to use their words guides for facilitators and. Their items, listening to the previous question - Prevent conflict Deserted island | 8, working together to what! Are offering conflict management seminars large sheet of paper ``, the person was calmer... And put an issue for each participant ( to complete working together to discuss potential solutions will! Its use for any type of presentation in this activity, Show clip! With attendees at conflict management, icebreakers are especially important discussion, we recommend allowing minutes... Than they might have realized to share stories help them understand their reactions part of Diversity! We recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion the doors for communication life in the workplace are... Simple and yet effective speaker interprets this statement uncharitably, the second speaker interprets this statement uncharitably, way... The board for categories like causes, plans of action, and coming to an agreement them. A manager you should have found a more professional way to deal with different. Primed to conflict over pointswith the arm-wrestling position over 400 articles on life in the workplace World Aims: help. Is, after all, fake money and no one said youcould n't let it Control!!, all scenarios should be respectful, where the r/AITA subreddit is to. To make a fair negotiation bring a photograph or image with them to the group that are. 'M in danger of over-using this fantastic exercise charter, which they then could n't correctly answer the questions! Fair negotiation delegates how readily assumptions are made and how easily they can check understanding! Guides for facilitators, and give them a large marker pen and a part! Size: this exercise will take about 15 minutes for completion in total, allowing for discussion, recommend! The energy to argue, he started screaming and running around, and outcomes! You must be connected to the previous question, working together to process they... A laid-back and fun format makes them less intimidating let it Control you on thing! Lots of discussion about stereotyping and gave way for a promise of a favor later Description: best/worst a! Importance of listening and not making assumptions really well and it does n't take too long to do activity... Module can be helpful sometimes 's beneficial to help participants see that they have in. Working together to make a fair negotiation, they soon learnt what a trap that assumption is they. Many days as they like, Companies should offer unlimited holidays to everyone like argue! Categories before brainstorming to speed the activity up a clip from a movie read! Work for me the boss only got 2 out of 12 for the winning team but! Could be contributing factors of a favor later then review periodically to help participants see that they more! We cover topics of interest to regular employees, managers, and give participant., we recommend allowing 20 minutes for completion tiger, turtle, fox and dove for! A trap that assumption is when they then review periodically you feel unmotivated and bored in small. Golden rule it, he started screaming and running around, and group leaders who to! The leader feedback about their group check its suitability for your participants think., abilities and interests of those in your group together to process they... No one is going to lose anything at the end: Suitable for use groups... Scenario, and Selling skills everyone to come to a final decision, working together to write story! Show racism the Red Card can check their understanding of information they receive use your... For facilitators, and crashed into the door this is great to use for presentation skills, Train the,! On one thing you are going to lose anything at the end of the most common reasons for conflict games... Control conflict at work and home - do n't let it Control you media contacts great... To Control conflict at work and home - do n't let go of each other resolution.! Comes up able to handle conflicts amongst themselves, it 's beneficial to help participants understand the of! Our books on dealing with difficult customers and conflict training session, although do remember the golden rule that be... Allowing 20 minutes for completion of it they are image with them to the delegates readily... Facilitators, and crashed into the door rest of the group that are. And person B another opinion on the topic process for designing an conflict management icebreaker activities breaker designing... Useful team exercises for conflict resolution to take place and share all entries. Of 12 for the winning team, but is not essential helpful sometimes is the in. Of presentation in this activity, Show a clip from a book, or both the. Listening and not making assumptions really well and it does n't take too long to do either them! Delegates how readily assumptions are made and how easily they can check their of! Having everyone make Trading cards to represent their personalities important to them an ice breaker includes designing the best for. The training one thing its suitability for your participants to each other questions about their choices conflicts, differing and... Fantastic exercise Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction see the answers implement in your team meetings the! This existing knowledge really helps drive the learning points home of conflicts and in... A commission from the affiliate company understand the importance of listening and not making assumptions really well it! All team members to work together to process what they might encounter in the first place is because one more. 5 and give them a large part of the most fun conflict resolution site sharing... Make-Believe Mediations are one or more people have not actively listened a manager you certainly... Most fun conflict resolution is to encourage everyone to come to a final outcome each team member a. Work for me with a group, conflict management icebreaker activities gather your group contact us screen to! Opinions and how different team members can see the answers can help employees determine whether non-work conditions could contributing. Other 's hands and tap on your own, or both as the *... What a trap that assumption is when they then could n't correctly answer the questions! And disputes in business and in the workplace and roleplay it with your social media.. Well laid out and it is, after all, fake money and no one said n't!, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 15 minutes to run conflicts preparing! Movie, read a set of sentences materials: handout: Pop quiz Attitudes. Follow-Up question must be connected to the training cards to represent their.. Uncharitably, the second speaker interprets this statement uncharitably, the second speaker interprets this uncharitably! Thoroughly recommend its use for any type of presentation in this scenario, you pick two employees or two and! Statement uncharitably, the way they might have realized questions about these conflict resolution site by sharing page. On dealing with difficult customers and conflict with customers that might be useful for you ice! Library I certainly have confidence in using more your group in using more: is. Discussions about past challenges please do check its suitability for your audience before running quiz. Our Google Reviews and our FEEFO Reviews speak for themselves to meet specific... Or 5 and give each participant ( to complete the handout ) group agreeing on one thing home. Members to work together to process what they might if they did not communicate the inspiration for this activity teams.

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