Peacemaker Services, Inc.

Conflict Coaching

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.