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
Learn Theory & Critical Skillsaround conflict styles, interest-based resolution & conflict management.
Improve Communication
Improve Communication& self-awareness through role play, group discussion, & reflection.
Emerge with Practical Skills
Emerge with Practical Skillsto 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 Online!
This program consists of 12 sessions (40 credit hours) delivered by a live instructor with coaching support. In addition to scheduled sessions, participants should plan for work outside of class, including approximately 4–6 hours of pre-course preparation, 4–6 hours of weekly homework in the early sessions, and up to 8 hours per week in later sessions. Please read the attached further notes on workload to get a better idea of what is expected in class: Preparing For Success- Notes on Workload
What Are the Costs & Other Details?
The fee for this course is $2200 plus GST. Your organization may be eligible for the Canada-Alberta Job Grant. 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?
Students will engage in blended online learning (synchronous) 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 4-6 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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