Sessions

Seating Instructions: Seating is first-come, first-served. Reserved seating options are available for accessibility and accommodations. For detailed accessibility information, visit INFO > FAQs in the app.

Typical conflict resolution processes, while well-intentioned, almost always focus on finding the quickest solution to the issue at hand so everyone involved can get back to work. However, those involved are often pressured to suppress their needs or true feelings in order to achieve compromises.Moreover, sensitive issues are glossed over to avoid further confrontation and difficult conversations. Support for individuals involved in the conflict, tools for healing frayed relationships, guidance to help employees and managers avoid future conflicts: all of this and more is ignored. This session will introduce harmony restoration, a process to resolve workplace issues while simultaneously acknowledging and supporting all individuals involved (even those tangentially), helping teams learn new ways of interacting, and fostering a genuinely supportive and understanding workplace. Serilda Summers-McGee will explain the concepts behind harmony restoration and walk attendees through the process.  Her explanations will be illustrated with examples from companies they have worked with, such as Casey Family Programs, the Meyer Foundation, and the Gresham Development Commission. Some of the examples to be discussed have racial and/or gender overtones, others are related to power dynamics, some are the result of management missteps, and still others are rooted in financial inequities.  The presenter will demonstrate how the principles of harmony restoration worked in all cases. To give attendees further insight into the harmony restoration process, the session will include several role-play scenarios taken from actual engagements. Following each scenario, Summers-McGee will invite feedback and observations from other attendees for facilitated discussions.

Learning Objectives:

1. Uncover the actual root causes of workplace conflict.

2. Defuse tense situations while acknowledging hurt and harm to individuals.

3. Learn the tools to help managers spot biases and problematic dynamics early on and engage in sensitive conversations.

4. Differentiate the types of agreements that can restore workplace harmony.

5. Provide ongoing coaching to reinforce new behaviors.

Direct Link to Session Materials: If the speaker provides session materials, you can access them via the app, web format or at https://presentations.shrm.org/.

Live Streaming and Recording: Unless marked 'in person only,' all sessions are live-streamed on the app or web format and available for replay 30 days after the event.

Acknowledgment of Technical Issues: While rare, technical issues may occur during sessions. We appreciate your patience as we quickly address them.

Accessibility & Accommodations Information: For detailed accessibility & accommodations information, visit INFO > FAQs in the app.