Conflict Coaching

Conflict coaching can be developed through assessment of different coaching models. It would also be useful to research the conflict styles coaching process, research the interest based coaching process, develop other approaches to coaching and perform a detailed comparison of models.

Promote Conflict Coaching within Higher Education

Conflict can be promoted within higher education by introducing the process directly to students. It would also be useful to 1) work with student organizations, 2) create a formal or informal referral system in partnership with university housing, the university disciplinary committee, or other administrative or academic parts of the university and 3) clarify how coaching and other conflict management services (e.g., ombuds programs) relate with one another.

Conclusion

As the alternative dispute resolution field matures and recognizes the limits of current processes like mediation, additional processes will no doubt be proposed and pursued. One relatively new ADR process that has already shown promise is conflict coaching. Judging by the way that the general public has received other forms of coaching, the further development of conflict coaching seems assured. While at least a couple of models of conflict coaching have already been applied and while additional models have been conceived, a great deal of work remains in strengthening these approaches and possibly in envisioning others.

References

Brinkert, R. (1999, July 26). Challenges and opportunities for a campus conflict education program. Conference presentation. CREnet. Boston, MA.

Bush, R. A., & Folger, J. P.(1994). The promise of mediation: responding to conflict through empowerment and recognition. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

The Conflict Education Resource Team (CERT)

DiMino, J. (1997, November 10). The practice of mediation and conflict coaching in a university counseling center. Conference presentation. AUCCCD. Williamsburg, VA.

Fisher, R., and Ury, W. (1983). Getting to yes: negotiating agreement without giving in. NYC, NY: Penguin.

Gibson, R. S. (1998, December). Selecting a coach. Alexandria, VA: ASTD.

Holton, S. (Ed.). (1998). Mending the Cracks in the Ivory Tower. Bolton, MA: Anker.

Jameson, J. (1998). Diffusion of a campus innovation: integration of a new student dispute resolution center into the university culture. Mediation Quarterly, 16, 129-146.

Tidwell, A. (1997). Problem solving for one. Mediation Quarterly, 14, 309-317.

Thomas, K. W., and Kilman, R. H. (1974). The Thomas-Kilman conflict mode instrument. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.

Warters, W. C. (2000). Mediation in the campus community. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Whitworth, L., Kimsey-House, H., and Sandahl, P. (1998). Co-active coaching: new skills for coaching people toward success in work and life. Palo Alto, CA: Davies-Black.

Winslade, J., and Monk, G. (2000). Narrative mediation: a new approach to conflict resolution. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Ross Brinkert

Ross Brinkert is a conflict management practitioner and researcher with six years of experience in the education and health care sectors. He presents at national conferences, consults and trains regularly, and for the past three years has assisted in leading Temple University's Conflict Education Resource Team (CERT). He received his MA in Communication Sciences (with a concentration in Conflict Processes) at Temple and is completing his doctorate in the same department. Email: rbrinker@astro.temple.edu

A Related Book

Timothy E. Ursiny designed a handbook about coaching titled "The Coaches Handbook: Exercises for Resolving Conflict in the Workplace". This handbook is specifically for the internal coach or manager working within a business setting. To find out more about this book, visit http://www.advantagecoaching.com/products.html#books.

Original piece presented by Ross Brinkert (Temple University) at the University of Massachusetts Boston Conflict Studies Conference, 2000

Abridged, with permission, for online publication by Samantha Spitzer (Wayne State University), 2002

Page last updated 11/27/2005

A project of Campus Conflict Resolution Resources.
Supported by a FIPSE grant from the US Department of Education
and seed money from the Hewlett Foundation-funded CRInfo project.

Correspondence to CMHE Report
(Attn: Bill Warters)
Campus Conflict Resolution Resources Project
Department of Communication
585 Manoogian Hall
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI 48201.

Volume 2, Number 2, Feb 2002