A Process Oriented Approach to Conflict Facilitation, Level 1 online

“None of the world’s problems are technically difficult to solve; they originate in human disagreement. In coherency, humanity’s creative powers are boundless.”

   ~ Charles Eisenstein, The Coronation.

Conflict is part of nature, so it is everywhere: in our organizations, groups, relationships, dreams and bodies. Conflict is a difficult energy to face. Many of us want to avoid it, give up or go along to get along. Many of us push against conflict, getting our hackles up and getting entrenched in our own point of view. These responses, depending on the context, are intelligent, but not as constants. The results from unaddressed conflicts are significant and predictable: decreases in trust, innovation, risk-taking and motivation, and the health of relationships.

When conflict goes unprocessed, we don't get to access the many benefits that an effectively explored conflict contains: access to new information, changes in how we feel about each other, learning about the complexity of an issue, resolutions and healing. Worst of all, unresolved tensions don't leave us alone. They hang around, affecting our social atmosphere, stressing us and also flaring up unpredictably. For those in leadership, conflict is even more complex, and can feel overwhelming. Typically a large limitation in a group's ability to effectively engage in conflict is the group leader's own awareness and comfort level with conflict.

The key element that supports the entry into an effective engagement with conflict, is awareness, and the ability to apply it skillfully in real time. The training is centered in Process Oriented Psychology, an awareness-based theory and method for working with conflict.

Training Content
We'll approach conflict by valuing its transformative potentials, and exercising respect and curiosity in unfolding conflicts. The working definition of conflict for this training is that: Conflict is an energy that has not yet found its place in the system that created it. We will focus on common expressions of conflict arising in typical group dynamics and how they impact our ability to facilitate with awareness. Participants will increase their ability to stay present and facilitative during both direct and indirect conflict. This is awareness training that will be absorbed very individually by each participant, based on their own experiences and relationship with difference and conflict. Group size will be limited to 10 participants to ensure a depth of both personal and professional development.

Learning Outcomes
Increase your abilities to:

• How to remain present and facilitative in conflict: using detachment as well as engagement.
• Understand and articulate how safety is a relative, individual experience, while also creating a dynamic and open atmosphere in conflict.
• Practice Deep Democracy, which is the including and valuing all points of view. 
• Responding to direct and indirect criticisms and accusations.
• Using framing as a potent tool for unfolding conflict by heightening awareness in a group. 
• Working with the foundational presence of power, rank and diversity issues.

Course Highlights

• Emphasis on experiential learning and practice.
• Participant directed: focus on aspects of theory and practice more relevant to your professional and personal situations.
• Handouts as an ongoing resources.
• Feedback from instructor and participants.
• Completing this course allows you to take Level 2 training, and participate in ongoing practice groups

Registration
February 5 & 6, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Pacific Time both days.

A zoom link for the training will be sent to you after you register.

Fees: Acknowledging economic diversity, this program offers tiered pricing:

• Supported tuition: $250/gst = $262.50 CAN
• General tuition: $395/gst = $414.75 CAN
• Donor tuition: $495/gst = $519.75 CAN (your fees help others to attend via 'supported tuition'. THANK YOU!)
• Karma spot: $50/gst = $52.50 CAN (2 spots available. Please email David to request a karma spot at: david@davidhatfield.ca)

REGISTRATION: Your place is reserved by sending an e-transfer payment to david@davidhatfield.ca

Area of Focus