VGH: From Conflict to Calm: Dealing with High Conflict Behaviour
Program Summary
We are seeing high conflict behaviour increasing in every setting from workplaces, between neighbours, among family members, and at our community organizations and the businesses we frequent.
High-conflict behaviour is typically characterized by:
- All-or-nothing thinking
- Unmanaged emotions
- Extreme behaviour
- Preoccupation with blaming others
- Prolonged, unresolved conflict
- Drawing in many other people
- Draining energy, time, and resources
Most people with these types of extreme behaviours have a repeated pattern of high-conflict behaviour. It’s part of who they are. They didn’t just make a mistake or act out of the blue – they have done this before and will repeat this pattern in the future.
We can learn to better manage these personalities by understanding high conflict behaviour and using skills that are often different from ordinary conflict resolution methods.
What You Will Learn
- The theory of high conflict behaviour
- Difference between high conflict behaviour, conflict, and disagreements
- Skills and techniques that can help manage personalities who exhibit high conflict behaviour
- Insight and confidence when dealing with high conflict behaviour situations
- When to ask for help
How You Will Learn
- Theory
- Reflection and analysis of self and workplace situations
- Large and small group discussions
- Scenario-based exercises
- In-session practice
Audience
This session is open to all members. We will be including some information in the session that is specific to managers with director staff reports.
About Your Facilitator
Michael Lomax is an international speaker, mediator, and conflict resolution trainer who assists many professionals, corporations, and government agencies in dealing with workplace conflict and high conflict behaviour.
Michael has conducted hundreds of mediations including workplace, family, community, and court-related matters. In 2021 Michael received the Susanna Jani Award Supporting Excellence in Mediation. Since 2011, Michael has been an Associate Speaker/Trainer with the High Conflict Institute in San Diego, CA. In 2021, he co-authored the book, Mediating High Conflict Disputes and was recently appointed as a visiting Senior Lecturer at Monash University Law Chambers in Melbourne, Australia. Michael also has significant experience leading the design and implementation of workplace conflict management programs at the provincial and federal government level. Michael practised law for 22 years and is currently a non-practising member of the Law Society of BC.
About Your Host
AAPS is the labour relations organization that represents the Management and Professional Staff group to their employer UBC. AAPS is a separate organization from UBC. Your conversations with us are confidential. We offer members professional labour relations advice that is in your best interest as an employee. We encourage you to get to know AAPS and your Collective Agreement and let us know if you have any questions or if we can help.
The AAPS Professional Development Program is designed and hosted by AAPS for our members. We offer a variety of topics on management, leadership, interpersonal skills, workplace skills, as well as personal and social development. The AAPS PD Program is designed in consultation with the AAPS Board of Directors and staff. Member Services Officer Sarah Muff is the program’s architect and manager. She staffs the PD events. If you have ideas or feedback, please email Sarah.
Registration
The AAPS PD Program is open to AAPS members only and offered at no cost. You can attend in-person events at the location that suits you best. The managers’ sessions are geared towards managers with direct staff reports and positional authority. All participants will also receive access to the recorded version.
AAPS Professional Development Program Registration Page