Working with Conflict in Groups

ONLINE CLASS - 13 June 2023

Conflict is essential for groups.

Luckily, it’s also inevitable.

But that doesn’t make it less scary to facilitate.

Conflict is rarely about disagreement; it’s fundamentally about awareness and is crucial to the growth process of a group. But most of us are hardwired to avoid conflict, we feel scared of it, and so group members and facilitators alike often try to suppress it.

As the group facilitator though, it’s your job to help your groups become more aware of themselves and support their growth – conflict HAS to be worked with.

In this facilitation training, we explore and explain the deep processes within conflict experiences and share a range of tools for working with them that you can apply immediately to your group work.

If you work with groups, in a paid or unpaid capacity, and would like to feel more confident and competent to facilitate transformative conflict in groups, this training is for you.

Conflict in groups can seem so confusing and messy, it can be hard to see what is going on or why. Whether its personal between group members or everything competing for centrality, ignoring conflict often seems like a safer option. Yet despite fears of things getting out of control or impacts on team morale or productivity, not addressing conflict is much more likely to escalate and cause problems in groups.

What if conflict became less something to fear and more an electric energy in groups to harness for their purpose?

In this class, you’ll learn:

  • how to identify the causes of conflict,
  • how to recognise the patterns of how conflict emerges,
  • concrete tools for working with conflict in the moment and
  • how to reorient your attitude towards conflict to see it as a catalyst for depth and change.

The workshop involves a mixture of theory, discussion and practice and includes:

  • Recognising the Value of Conflict pre-reading
  • Powerpoint handout
  • 4 hr online live session, with capped participation to maximise engagement
  • Follow-up reflection and integration exercise

“Some excellent techniques for dealing with conflict, together with an opportunity to practice and obtain feedback”

“It was thought-provoking and gave an opportunity to practice challenging facilitation contexts”

“One never knows when conflict will emerge in a group – having a little something in the back pocket is extremely useful”

“Really helpful to understand and tune in to my own reactions and responses to conflict”

Prior knowledge and pre-requisites

Attendance at this workshop requires completion of any of the following:

  • ANZPOP Facilitation Masterclass Series
  • Deep Collaboration Intensive (Collaboration for Impact)
  • Two-year Professional Training or Diplomate training at ANZPOP or other IAPOP member school.

If you think you might be eligible based on prior knowledge or a course that isn’t listed here – please email beck@beckronkson.com to discuss.

The Trainers

Dr Jane Martin

Jane has over thirty years experience as a facilitator in the public, private and not for profit sectors, including the NSW State Public Service, the non-government sector, the Australian Federal Public Service and facilitating Deep Collaboration between First Nation Peoples and Other Australians. Her commitment to working with conflict is born out of a deep appreciation of the value of difference, whether it be different opinions, views, ways of doing things or cultural diversity.

Her qualifications include a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, a Bachelor of Social Work, a Graduate Diploma in Education and a Diploma of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She’s an Accredited Coach (with the International Coaching Federation), Process Work Diplomate, accredited Deep Democracy facilitator, member of the International Association of Process Oriented Psychology, and a founding member of ANZPOP. She is currently an Associate with Collaboration for Impact.

Beck Ronkson

Beck is a Facilitator, Coach, Psychotherapist and Consultant with a background in theatre and community cultural development. She has worked in the social change space for the past 19 years and regularly facilitates collaborations of multiple stakeholders, including Local Area Health services, community housing providers, corporate organisations, large and small NGOs, usually in the areas of housing, mental health, collective impact and community self-determination. She’s been on her own journey with conflict – from total avoidance to seeing it as a key to depth and trust in working through our differences.

“Community members who’s voices weren’t being heard taught me about looking deeper into conflict. Understanding and being able to work with conflict has been crucial to my work interfacing between communities and government”.

Beck’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts (Theatre) Honours; Organisational Coach (Global Coaching Institute); Diploma of Process Oriented Psychology (ANZPOP). She is a member of the International Association of Process Oriented Psychology (IAPOP), and Alumna Sydney Leadership. She is currently an Associate with Collaboration for Impact.

When

Tuesday, 13th June 2023

9am – 1pm AEST (find your time here)

Fees

Training fees are based on the economy in which you earn your income.

Global North Fees

For earning in Global North economies: If you earn the average or higher income for your country, or are asset rich, please pay the Full Rate. If you earn below the average income for your country, please pay the Concession Rate.

Global North Full Rate $320

Global North  Concession Rate $190

Where

Online on Zoom.

This is an experiential course and in the spirit of encouraging attendance and creating a safe space, sessions are not recorded.

 

Global South Fees

If you earn a Global South income, or would like to participate but would be excluded due to the cost, please email beck@beckronkson.com to inquire about significantly discounted registration.

If your income economy is somewhere in the middle, for example, some Eastern European economies, please use the Global North Concession Rate or contact beck@beckronkson.com to arrange a further discount.

ANZPOP acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands we live and work on, the Aboriginal Australian, Torres Strait Islander, and Maori peoples. We pay respect to their elders past, present and future. We give thanks for the wisdom of these peoples that has informed the Process Work approach. We honour the courage, resilience and spirit of traditional peoples in the face of the devastating impact colonisation has had and continues to have on their culture, wellbeing, and sovereignty.