Conflict resolution for Leaders
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Conflict resolution for Leaders
This course is part of multiple programs.
Instructor: Martine Abboud
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January 2026
1 assignment
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There are 3 modules in this course
This leadership course supports learners in developing essential interpersonal skills to navigate complex professional environments with confidence, clarity, and impact. The course begins with foundational communication principles, focusing on how to express ideas clearly, listen actively, and adapt communication styles to different audiences and contexts in order to strengthen relationships and reduce misunderstandings.
Building on effective communication, the course then explores conflict resolution and problem-solving. Learners examine common sources of conflict and develop practical strategies to manage disagreements constructively. Structured problem-solving approaches are introduced to help transform challenges into opportunities for collaboration and improvement. The final component focuses on negotiation as a strategic leadership skill. Participants learn how to prepare for negotiations, distinguish interests from positions, manage difficult conversations, and work toward mutually beneficial agreements. By integrating communication, conflict management, and negotiation, the course enables learners to influence outcomes ethically and effectively. By the end of this course, you will be able to: - Apply clear and adaptive communication strategies in professional settings - Analyze sources of conflict and manage disagreements constructively - Use structured problem-solving techniques to address complex challenges - Prepare for and conduct negotiations focused on mutual value - Demonstrate integrated interpersonal skills to influence outcomes effectively Prerequisites: - No prior leadership or management training is required. The course is suitable for professionals, emerging leaders, and individuals seeking to strengthen interpersonal and influence skills.
This module equips learners with the advanced interpersonal, analytical, and emotional intelligence skills required to navigate conflict and solve complex problems especially in high-pressure, fast-paced environments. Participants begin by examining the nature of conflict, understanding its impact on individuals, teams, and organisations, and identifying how their own conflict styles influence outcomes. Learners explore evidence-based negotiation and conflict resolution strategies, gaining tools to manage disagreements constructively and reach agreements that preserve relationships and organisational goals. The module also develops creative problem-solving capabilities, enabling learners to think flexibly, generate innovative solutions, and avoid rigid or reactive decision-making during moments of stress. A major focus is communication under pressure. Learners practise active listening, framing difficult conversations, and delivering constructive feedback while maintaining professionalism, trust, and psychological safety. They also explore how to build alliances, navigate internal politics, and influence outcomes ethically. Finally, the module strengthens emotional agility and self-regulation critical skills for staying composed, objective, and effective when stakes are high.
What's included
23 videos6 discussion prompts11 plugins
23 videosβ’Total 72 minutes
- What are the most common causes of conflictβ’2 minutes
- Personal conflict stylesβ’4 minutes
- Resolving conflict effectivelyβ’4 minutes
- In order to RESPOND, we need toβ’1 minute
- How to have difficult conversations?β’5 minutes
- How to listen? The 3 levels of listeningβ’2 minutes
- How to build influence?β’7 minutes
- How to get buy-in from leadership?β’8 minutes
- How to use emotional intelligence in conflict?β’6 minutes
- How can I articulate my point concisely during a conflict conversation?β’2 minutes
- How do we address conflict resolutions differently in personal and professional scenarios?β’2 minutes
- How to start the conversation or confrontation itself?β’4 minutes
- How can we (dis)allow somebody to dominate the conversation?β’2 minutes
- How to navigate conflicts in a setting, where hierarchies and power differentials can be quite rigid?β’2 minutes
- How do you ask a coworker to stop oversharing personal details without harming the work relationship?β’3 minutes
- How often do we encounter hidden conflicts in our daily life?β’2 minutes
- How to be trauma informed in our conversations?β’4 minutes
- How to deal with the conflict between a junior person and a senior leader?β’3 minutes
- Can you talk about neurodivergent-friendly ways to resolve conflicts?β’3 minutes
- How to get people in a mindset where they are willing to have their minds changed?β’2 minutes
- I am uncomfortable with confronting people.β’2 minutes
- They don't want to solve the problem - they just want to shift the blame. How to deal with it?β’2 minutes
- How to lead former colleagues with clarity and credibilityβ’2 minutes
6 discussion promptsβ’Total 55 minutes
- Personalised Needs Assessmentβ’10 minutes
- Self-profiling: personal conflict styleβ’10 minutes
- Community discussion: navigating conflictβ’10 minutes
- Self-reflection: resolving conflict worksheetβ’10 minutes
- Community discussion: dive in or step back?β’10 minutes
- Community discussion: winning leadership buy-inβ’5 minutes
11 pluginsβ’Total 165 minutes
- Understanding conflictβ’15 minutes
- Personal conflict stylesβ’15 minutes
- Conflict resolution strategiesβ’15 minutes
- Problem-solving strategiesβ’15 minutes
- Having difficult conversationsβ’15 minutes
- Delivering constructive feedbackβ’15 minutes
- Game: feedback fitness!β’15 minutes
- Navigating internal politicsβ’15 minutes
- Gaining buy-in from senior leadershipβ’15 minutes
- Navigating challenges with emotional intelligenceβ’15 minutes
- Game: emotion commotion!β’15 minutes
This module provides learners with the essential skills and frameworks needed to deliver feedback that is clear, respectful, and genuinely helpful. Participants begin by understanding the critical difference between feedback and criticism, exploring how each impacts emotions, relationships, and workplace communication. Through practical models and real examples, learners discover how to offer feedback that strengthens trust rather than undermining it. The module introduces several proven feedback frameworks including the SBI model, Pendletonβs feedback model, and the feedback sandwich method giving learners structured approaches to make their feedback specific, actionable, and easy for others to receive. Emphasis is placed on maintaining rapport, showing empathy, and preserving psychological safety, especially during challenging conversations. Learners also examine strategies for fostering two-way dialogue, encouraging reflection, and ensuring feedback leads to growth rather than defensiveness.
What's included
4 videos1 discussion prompt6 plugins
4 videosβ’Total 4 minutes
- Right tone for constructive feedbackβ’0 minutes
- How can you give constructive feedback without being too blunt? β’2 minutes
- How to respond to pushback of feedback you give? β’0 minutes
- Tips for handling resistance to feedbackβ’2 minutes
1 discussion promptβ’Total 10 minutes
- Personalised Needs Assessmentβ’10 minutes
6 pluginsβ’Total 90 minutes
- The difference between feedback and criticismβ’15 minutes
- Delivering feedback while maintaining rapport and respectβ’15 minutes
- The SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact) frameworkβ’15 minutes
- Pendleton's feedback modelβ’15 minutes
- The feedback sandwich methodβ’15 minutes
- Game: feedback fitness!β’15 minutes
This module equips learners with the mindset, communication tools, and emotional intelligence needed to navigate difficult conversations with confidence, clarity, and composure. Participants begin by understanding why challenging discussions though uncomfortable are essential for resolving conflicts, strengthening relationships, and promoting healthier team dynamics. Through real-world examples, they explore how addressing issues directly can prevent misunderstandings, reduce tension, and improve outcomes. Learners are introduced to structured communication frameworks such as the DESC model and the Crucial Conversations framework. These tools help participants organise their thoughts, communicate assertively without being confrontational, and create dialogue that encourages understanding rather than defensiveness. The module also focuses on practical strategies for managing emotions both their own and othersβ during high-stakes discussions. Learners practise techniques for staying grounded, listening actively, validating perspectives, and fostering psychological safety even when conversations become challenging.
What's included
15 videos1 assignment2 discussion prompts4 plugins
15 videosβ’Total 32 minutes
- How to have difficult conversations?β’5 minutes
- How to listen? The 3 levels of listeningβ’2 minutes
- How can I articulate my point concisely during a conflict conversation?β’2 minutes
- How to start the conversation or confrontation itself?β’4 minutes
- How can we (dis)allow somebody to dominate the conversation?β’2 minutes
- How do you ask a coworker to stop oversharing personal details without harming the work relationship?β’3 minutes
- How to be trauma informed in our conversations?β’4 minutes
- A difficult conversation doesn't end when wordsβ’2 minutes
- How to stay focused in high pressure conversationsβ’1 minute
- How to act after a difficult conversationβ’1 minute
- Difficult conversations are rarely just about words β’2 minutes
- How do we address conflict resolutions differently in personal and professional scenarios?β’2 minutes
- How to Share Challenging Newsβ’1 minute
- How to transform bad news into encouragementβ’1 minute
- How can you stay calm and focused when delivering bad news β’2 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 30 minutes
- Final Course Assignmentβ’30 minutes
2 discussion promptsβ’Total 20 minutes
- Personalised Needs Assessmentβ’10 minutes
- Community discussion: dive in or step back?β’10 minutes
4 pluginsβ’Total 60 minutes
- Difficult Conversations Lead to Resolving Conflictsβ’15 minutes
- DESC Frameworkβ’15 minutes
- Crucial Conversations Frameworkβ’15 minutes
- Strategies for Having Difficult Conversationsβ’15 minutes
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Creo Incubator
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University of California, Irvine
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