Explore your own perceptions of conflict and learn practical, hands-on skills to build a foundation in preventing and managing disputes in a productive manner.
Learn Theory & Critical Skills
around conflict styles, interest-based resolution & conflict management.
Improve Communication
& self-awareness through role play, group discussion, & reflection.
Emerge with Practical Skills
to prevent, defuse, & manage conflict at work & at home.
Why Take Communications in ADR
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is for people looking for professional development to improve their communication skills and manage conflict in the workplace and at home.
Our students are professionals working in:
- human resources,
- engineering,
- law,
- oil & gas,
- public engagement,
- construction,
- and other industries.
What Will I Learn and What Skills Will I Gain?
Through the study of theory, personal reflection, group discussion and role playing, you will begin to develop your skills in conflict communication.
The learning objectives are:
- Define different ADR processes
- Understand the drama triangle and how it can impact conflict management
- Know the five conflict styles and their characteristics
- Understand how values and beliefs determine behaviour
- Describe conflict management and interest-based resolution approaches and methods
- Learn effective methods for dealing with difficult behaviours
- Understand how cultural identities can intersect with conflict management styles
- Define and apply critical skills for active listening and assertive speaking
- Manage emotions
- Give appropriate feedback
- Speak in a manner that will increase the chances of being understood
- Develop self-awareness of one’s own role in conflict
- Understand barriers to communication and methods for addressing them
- Explore the anger arousal process, anger triggers and defusing strategies
- Discover the value of giving and receiving feedback effectively
- Work through conflict situations in role-play scenarios
Where Can I Go From Here?
Communications in ADR is a prerequisite for some of our other courses and forms the foundation of further learning in conflict resolution.
Take Further Training
Communications in ADR is a prerequisite for the National Introductory Mediation course.
Earn a Certificate
This course can be used to complete the Certificate in Conflict Leadership.
Communications in ADR qualifies as 40 hours of specialized training toward a Qualified Mediator (Q.Med) or Chartered Mediator (C.Med) designation.
Human Resources Professionals: Continuing Professional Development for CPHR Alberta
Our courses have previously met CPD requirements for CPHR Alberta. Please check with them for details regarding particular courses.
Lawyers: Continuing Professional Development for Law Society of Alberta
For Alberta lawyers, consider including this course as a CPD learning activity in your mandatory annual Continuing Professional Development Plan as required by the Law Society of Alberta.
Study In-Person or Online
There are two options for this course: In-Person or Online
In-person
six days – 40 credit hours, part 1 is three days and part 2 is three days. Students will have nightly homework, including readings and role-play preparation.
Online
12 sessions – 40 credit hours. Students will engage in blended online learning (synchronous and asynchronous). In addition to the group sessions, students will have approximately 3-4 hours of reading and homework per week to prep for the group sessions and role-play.
What Are the Costs & Other Details?
In-Person
The fee for this course is $2200 plus GST. Your organization may be eligible for the Canada-Alberta Job Grant. ADRIA membership is required to take this course. Full attendance and successful completion of an evaluated role-play on the final day of the course are required to receive a certificate of course completion. This course fulfills the pre-requisite for the National Introductory Mediation Course.
Online
The fee for this course is $2200 plus GST. Your organization may be eligible for the Canada-Alberta Job Grant. ADRIA membership is required to take this course. Completion of pre-session assignments, full attendance of group sessions/role-plays, and successful completion of an evaluated role-play on the final day of the course are required to receive a certificate of course completion. This course fulfills the pre-requisite for the National Introductory Mediation Course.
What Can I Expect in Class?
In-Person
Pre-course material will be sent two weeks prior to the start date by email and must be completed before the first day of class. Course and activity manuals will be provided on the first day of class. This course includes lecture, personal reflection, and group discussion. Emphasis is placed on practicing skills and role-playing in small groups, each provided with a coach to guide the exercises and give feedback. In addition to pre-course materials, students will have nightly homework, including readings and role-play preparation. In order to successfully role play, prep is essential. Part 1 of this class is three full days and part 2 is three full days. Between Part 1 and 2, there will be an assignment where students are to watch a role-play video and answer the corresponding questions. There is also an open book final course quiz due at the end of the course. Students do an evaluated role-play to demonstrate their skills on the final day of the course.
Online
Students will engage in blended online learning (synchronous and asynchronous) to explore and develop their skills in conflict communication. This course includes lecture, personal reflection, and group discussion. Emphasis is placed on practicing skills and role-playing in small groups, each provided with a coach to guide the exercises and give feedback. In addition to the group sessions, students will have approximately 3-4 hours of reading and homework per week to prep for the group sessions and role-play. There is also an open book final course quiz due at the end of the course. Students do an evaluated role-play to demonstrate their skills in the final session of the course.
Timeline: Once you have signed the confidentiality agreement, the materials will be sent to you, and you will also be given access to the course web page on adralberta.com. You can read the manual, and begin the coursework for the first group session. Sessions are 3 to 3.5 hours each and are scheduled either twice per week over six weeks or three times per week over four weeks. See the course calendar for further details.
Feedback from Our Students
Are you ready to take your conflict skills to the next level?
Check out our Calendar for Upcoming Course Dates
We schedule Communications in ADR several times per year in Edmonton, Calgary, and Online.
Check out some of our other training opportunities to improve your conflict management skills:
National Introductory Mediation
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