1. Conflict Strategy & Approach
Sige Burden Jr.
Sr. Managing Director
Faculty & Staff Relations
Human Resources Division

2. Case Studies
Discussion
Wake Up!

3. What are you afraid of? Conflict Avoidance Conflict is Inevitable.
Today’s decision is simply today’s best guess. - Key is to make “informed” decisions. (more information is better).

4. Feel like some days you should have stayed at home in your PJ’s.

5. Resources
Source of information and guidance on UGA Administrative Policies and Procedures for subordinates and supervisors.
Facilitate the fair treatment and resolution of workplace interests and concerns.
Assist members of the University community to develop and maintain a positive work environment.
Minefield
Don’t know what you don’t know. - Examples: FMLA / ADA / USERRA

6. The Playing Field Reality Expectations / Goals The Stakeholders
You are an agent of the institution/organization
Expectations / Goals
Internal / external
The Stakeholders
Management, faculty, staff, and students
Policies / Procedures
Law (federal & state)
Board of Regents
University of Georgia
School/department
Hands Off:
NDAH
Workplace Violence
Workplace Theft
Legal Situations
“If it ain’t written it didn’t happen.” - Why should I believe you?

7. Conflict Triage Conflict is context driven.
Move from “what’s wanted” to “why?”
Ask So What? – Get to the roots.
Don’t feed into the emotion of the conflict.
When emotions are high, reasoning is low.
Don’t take it personally.
Be deliberate in your communications.
Communication is irreversible – Nothing we say can ever be completely retracted; even an apology cannot completely remove the impact of a misspoken word.
Flags:
Noticeable changes in work performance
Attitude problem
Violations of workplace policies and/or procedures
Safety
Misconduct
Is there a history or “pattern”?

8. Responding Control the situation and the message. How When
vs. in person
Acknowledge receipt, but don’t respond to substance
In Person: “Let’s address facts. If necessary, respond after you’ve had time to think about it.”
When
Immediately vs. delay
Urgency
Draft / Rehearse
Speed Dial.

9. Know Yourself Are you the problem? Expectations Goals Needs
Prejudices / Tendencies
Be the supervisor
Not trying to change “you”. Just be aware of how “you” influences “you”.

10. Favorite/Least Favorite Exercise
Exercise in consistency.

11. The Golden Rule
Respect
Honesty
Trust

12. Questions

13. Conflict Strategy & Approach
Sige Burden Jr.
Sr. Managing Director
Faculty & Staff Relations
Human Resources Division