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Oak Trees in a Storm: Growing Our Skills in Generative Conflict

Designed based on the premise that conflict is a natural part of a group's experience together, this series invites participants to explore the concept of generative conflict and the impact of racialized grief and trauma in the escalation of conflict. Participants will also be offered space to practice strategies for moving conflict into a generative pathway rather than a destructive one. This is accomplished first through exploring participants' own relationship with conflict through the lens of their racial and other intersectional identities. Participants will then shift outward to looking at the current culture of conflict in their work group and/or team. From there, the series will end by providing tangible strategies that can be used in the moment when conflict arises and that ultimately can be used to shift the team/groups conflict culture into one that is generative.

As part of this series, participants can expect to do deep self-reflection, engage in affinity based and cross racial dialogues and practice using embodiment exercises, visualizations and scenario work. Participants will be asked to complete a self-assessment prior to the first session and do 1-2 hours of reading and journaling during the week between the two institutes.

Learning objectives for this series:

1) Define generative conflict and articulate the role of the nervous system and trauma in escalating conflict in one's work and personal life

2) Use storytelling and reflection to explore one's own reaction and approach to conflict through the lens of their racial and intersectional identities

3) Identify and practice strategies for creating a culture of generative conflict in groups and teams

4) Move from the “I” to the “We” to assess the group or team’s conflict culture using RRC's Group Conflict Culture Assessment