Conflict coaching is defined as a set of skills and strategies used to
support peoples’ ability to engage in, manage, or productively resolve
conflict. In this process, the conflict coach works one-on-one with a client
experiencing conflict with another person. Conflict coaching enables the client
to talk about the conflict with a neutral third party (the conflict coach),
consider options for managing the conflict, and design an approach to discuss
the conflict with the other person. Conflict coaching can be used as a
stand-alone process, or can be practiced with each of the parties in separate
meetings during mediation.
Conflict coaching can be useful in a variety of circumstances, including
conflicts in the workplace, divorce and post-decree situations, community
disputes, family disagreements, or business conflicts In such
situations, the conflict coach can serve as a confidential listener, help the client
to see the situation from all perspectives, support the client in considering
options, and help the client to come up with a plan of action to deal with the
conflict. In conflict coaching, the client, not the conflict coach, is
responsible for the outcome. The conflict coach uses process skills
to help the client develop more clarity about the situation, enabling the client
to effectively and confidently make high-quality decisions to manage the
conflict. Also, the conflict coach can help the client rehearse a
conversation so that the client is prepared to more confidently enter into the
conflict resolution discussion.
Conflict coaching can be a powerful tool to help
manage conflict. The conflict coach helps the client think through
multiple aspects of a conflict and consider options to improve the
situation. The conflict coach serves an important role by asking
questions, providing feedback, offering insights, and especially by active
listening. Conflict coaching can be useful at any stage of a conflict,
both formally and informally and should be considered when there is an ongoing
working relationship or need to communicate.
