Special Topics: Consulting on Organizati

Conflicts in organizations can be productive or destructive, depending on the nature, frequency and intensity of the conflicts and how they are managed. When handled well, they can spark dialogue and innovation. Too often, however, they are not managed well and can have adverse effects on the people directly and indirectly involved, and the organization itself. They can cause absenteeism and lack of commitment, which can reduce productivity and increase the costs of doing business. They create unpleasant working environments and, when prolonged, can cause stress resulting in emotional and physical illness. There are different reasons for these conflicts, ranging from skirmishes within teams, to insufficient communication, to lack of enforced accountability measures, and indecisive leadership. The direct impact is to those involved in the conflict, while the indirect impact is more widely felt. By embracing a comprehensive conflict consulting framework, organizations can address disputes constructively, enhance communication, improve team collaboration, and create a more productive and harmonious work environment. 

This course is designed for those who would like to consult to organizations to address their internal conflict dynamics. It offers a structured process for engaging clients and partnering with them to effectively address and resolve conflicts within an organization. This course fits in well within the NECR programs’ course offerings, focused on skill building, systems, and for those interested in organizational dynamics. It covers a systemic approach to engaging in addressing organizational conflict by focusing on the client-consultant relationship. It draws on conflict analysis tools and conflict resolution methodologies from within the NECR program and the field, which also works to inform the credibility of the consultant. 

This course is an elective and will meet one weekend, March 28th and 29th, a full Saturday and Sunday, from 9:00-5:00. There will be a pre-work module to lay the foundation for the course, to allow the two days in person, on campus, to be spent engaged in hands-on activities. This course is open to NECR students. Students from other programs with some organizational experience and focus, and some knowledge of conflict resolution, can be permitted to join upon Instructor approval. It is preferred that NECR 6050 and NECR 5101 be completed before taking this course.