CONFLICT DYNAMICS ASSESSMENT
AND DEVELOPMENT

Workplace conflict — situations in which people have incompatible goals, interests, principles, or feelings — is inevitable. It also can be disruptive. Studies show that managers typically devote more than a third of their time to dealing with conflict and its consequences. Unmanaged conflict accounts for some 65 percent of work-performance problems. According to the Center for Creative Leadership, conflict management is the No. 1 developmental need of managers in their Foundations of Leadership Program.

Working Dynamics uses the Conflict Dynamics Profile (CDP) with individuals and groups to address conflict in the workplace. This assessment tool (available in a 360° as well as an individual version) was created by the Leadership Development Institute (LDI) at Eckerd College, a network associate of the Center for Creative Leadership.

CDP focuses on specific behavioral responses to conflict. The ultimate goal is not to eliminate conflict but to manage it, reducing the harmful impact and maximizing beneficial aspects such as problem solving and creativity. Conflict dynamics assessment and development programs can be helpful in these ways:

• Give leaders and managers critical insight in order to change behaviors and increase effectiveness
• Enhance career development potential for managers
• Equip teams to identify problem areas in order to build a cohesive and supportive environment
• Increase the potential for organization-wide effectiveness

Developed primarily for use in leadership development, the CDP is also valuable as a tool in these management areas:

• Conflict Resolution
• Career Development/Individual Coaching
• Teambuilding
• Organizational Development
• Succession Planning
• Needs Analysis (Group Profiles)

Susan Gunn, Working Dynamics owner and lead consultant, is a CDP master trainer for the Center for Conflict Dynamics at Eckerd College. Contact Susan to discuss how you can use the CDP in your organization.