COLLABORATION
Conflict Resolution
The behaviours in the table below show how you can demonstrate the skill of Conflict Resolution at each of the competency levels in which it appears. Click on the plus sign to show the behaviours at that level.
Level 2
- Supports colleagues after a setback, spots potential conflict and helps those involved highlight common ground as well as bringing disagreements into the open to resolve them.
Level 3
- Resolves conflict by bringing teams together; identifies the causes of conflict (facts, methods, goals, values), and uses a range of techniques to resolve conflict and negative emotion.
Level 4
- Resolves conflict within the organisation and with external stakeholders by emphasising common strategic goals and negotiating where differences occur.
Resources
Below you will find learning resources to help you develop the skill of Conflict Resolution. Click on the links to access the resources.

Assert Yourself
The Chimp Brain
Dr Steve Peters’ model of the Chimp brain explains simply the primitive drivers behind some of our more problematic behaviours and what we can do to manage them. These drivers can be, and often are, challenged at work, leading to outbursts, arguments, and sometimes physical confrontations. Every person has a Chimp and is susceptible to these problems, but if we learn to recognise what is happening and how to manage the results, we can reduce the negative outcomes.
The Human Brain
Following on from Dr Steve Peters’ model of the Chimp brain, as outlined in the PDF ‘The Chimp Brain’, this PDF looks at how the Human brain works i.e. how we are when we have logical and regulated emotional thinking, and how we stay in that state as much as possible.
Managing the Chimp
Following on from Steve Peters’ model of the Chimp brain, as outlined in the PDF ‘The Chimp Brain’, this PDF looks in more depth at how to manage your Chimp and control unwanted emotional responses. It describes several ways in which you can do this. These techniques also help regulate and manage other people’s strong emotional reactions.
Talking to the Chimp
Following on from Steve Peters’ model of the Chimp brain, as outlined in the PDF ‘The Chimp Brain’, this PDF covers the ways in which we talk to our Chimp and how that affects our reactions. It covers some helpful ways of speaking, not only to the Chimp, but also to other people, that are more balanced, reasonable, and fair, and that will lead to better responses.
Assertiveness Techniques
In this PDF you will find practical techniques to help you use an assertive approach and in which situations they would be the most useful. The steps are outlined so that they are easy to remember.
The Power of Empathy
Empathy is one of the most powerful tools you can use to build productive relationships. It is fundamental to building collaboration. This PDF explains what empathy is, how to demonstrate it, and the impact it will have if you choose (or not) to use it. It will help you to defuse conflict, connect with and motivate others, and improve efficiency.
Resolving Conflict
This PDF provides an in-depth look at conflict, including what causes it, how it’s expressed, and how it may be resolved. Conflict is an inevitable part of working with others, but if it can be handled fairly and calmly it can lead to stronger relationships and more robust work, as problems are dealt with before they can cause damage. This PDF covers different types of conflict and techniques for handling it.
Using Language Wisely
Handling People Problems - Support or Challenge?
Handling situations where someone appears to you to be difficult, or problematic, is often uncomfortable; yet, if you are a manager and/or leader you have a responsibility to do it. This PDF covers a process you can follow to make tackling a problem with another person more straightforward and will help you reach a productive outcome.
Confronting and Challenging (DESCB)
Conflict or confrontation is tricky for a lot of people. Many avoid it as much as possible; others do it but don’t get a very receptive response. When you’re leading a team dealing with conflict, whether it be a disagreement between team members or a performance issue, is unavoidable. This PDF covers a useful, simple technique to help you structure your conversation when confronting or challenging someone.

VIDEOS
Assert Yourself
This video provides an explanation of a fundamentally important approach and mindset, being assertive, and how you or others might adopt a less helpful one of being non-assertive, aggressive, or avoiding. You will learn how to recognise the different approaches, if you need to adjust how you behave and what you say to project a more assertive/collaborative stance towards others, especially if they are using an unhelpful approach towards you.
The Chimp Brain part 1
The Chimp Brain part 2
This video explains Dr Steve Peters’ model of the Chimp brain, the primitive drivers behind some of our more problematic behaviours, and what we can do to manage them. These drives can be, and often are, challenged at work, leading to outbursts, arguments, and sometimes physical confrontations. Every person has a Chimp and is susceptible to these problems, but this video will help you to learn to recognise what is happening and how it is possible to reduce the unhelpful triggers and behaviours.
The Human Brain
Following on from Dr Steve Peters’ model of the Chimp brain, as outlined in the video ‘The Chimp Brain’, this video looks at how the Human brain works, i.e. how we are when we have logical and regulated emotional thinking. You will learn why and how regulated thinking and behaviour is so helpful and also how to do it.
Managing the Chimp
Following on from Steve Peters’ model of the Chimp brain, as outlined in the video ‘The Chimp Brain’, this video looks in more depth at how to manage your Chimp and control unwanted emotional responses. It describes several ways in which you can do this. These techniques also help you to regulate and manage other people’s strong emotional reactions and bring them back to using their own ‘Human Brain’.
The Power of Empathy
This video explains why and how empathy is one of the most powerful tools you can use to build productive relationships. It is fundamental to building collaboration. Learn if you are already demonstrating empathy effectively, how easy it is to stop doing it, how to be alerted to using it effectively and realise the benefits it brings.

ON THE JOB ACTIONS
Awareness of Your Motivation and Mindset
Read and/or watch 'Assert Yourself' and 'Assertiveness Techniques' so that you understand your own and others’ state of mind and build your confidence in resolving conflict. Read and/or watch 'The Chimp Brain', 'The Human Brain', and 'Managing the Chimp' so that you can recognise when and how people are upset and or in conflict and have an informed mindset about what to do.
Challenging Others
If you must tackle a person/situation and think that conflict will result, prepare for this situation by reading and/or watching 'Handling People Problems – Support or Challenge?' Follow the technique and choose your approach according to the advice given.
Confronting
Read Confronting and Challenging DESCB Model for an approach if you want to raise something problematic with someone else. Remember to make it as specific as possible, don’t exaggerate and make personal remarks about them.
Process and Skill
Read 'Resolving Conflict – a Summary'. Choose and use one of the recommended techniques that is appropriate to the situation concerning you. The technique 'Chunking Up to Agreement' is useful if you want to or must facilitate and resolve conflict between others. Resolving conflict effectively will strengthen psychological safety for your colleagues.
Verbal Skills
Read 'Talking to the Chimp' and 'Using Language Wisely', as both will improve your awareness of how to say things in order not to antagonise people. They will also teach you how to rephrase what others say so it sounds less confrontational and intervene in conflict using language that is assertive and empathetic.
The Empathy Advantage
Empathy will give you an advantage when trying to resolve conflict. Read and/or watch The Power of Empathy. ‘Empathy but’ is where you understand the person’s point of view but don’t or can’t agree with it. Always describe what you understand their point of view to be (and their feelings) then mention something ‘bigger’ than you, (preferably something you have in common) and say, “This is why I cannot agree with/accept what you are saying/want to do.” Saying: “How about if you/we do…. instead”, also helps.
