Discipline: Conflict Resolution

Game Overview: Dispute Diver is a hands-on and interactive activity designed to teach participants the art of resolving conflicts constructively. This game focuses on collaboration, communication, and problem-solving, providing participants with practical experience in managing workplace disputes. Through this engaging activity, teams will develop effective conflict resolution strategies and enhance their role-playing skills.

Duration: 15 minutes or less
You need a minimum of 7 employees to play

Objective

Resolve conflicts constructively through effective discussion, strategy development, and role-playing.

How to Play:

1. Designate 1-3 judge/s: Judges will score all final presentations of the Dispute Diver activity using the criteria provided.

2. Team Formation:

• Teams: Form teams of 3-5 members.

• Roles: Assign each team member a role, such as leader, note-taker, and presenter (timekeeping is shared among all members).

3. Conflict Resolution Strategy Development (10 Minutes):

• Note-Taker: Responsible for documenting the discussion and strategy development.

• Order: Leader decides the speaking order for team members.

• Timing: Each member has 2 minutes to contribute to the resolution strategy.

4. Process:

• The leader introduces the workplace conflict scenario and selects the order in which the remaining members contribute.

• Subsequent members add details, elaborate, or refine the resolution strategy, ensuring coherence and effectiveness.

5. Steps:

• Minute 1 (Leader): Introduce the workplace conflict scenario.

• Minutes 2-3 (Member 2): Propose initial resolution strategies.

• Minutes 4-5 (Member 3): Discuss potential communication techniques and steps to de-escalate the conflict.

• Minutes 6-7 (Member 4, if applicable): Consider practical solutions and implementation steps.

• Minutes 8-10 (All Members): Collaboratively finalize the resolution strategy, incorporating all contributions.

6. Presentation and Role-Playing (2 Minutes):

• The presenter of each team presents their resolution strategy to a panel of judges within 2 minutes or less.

• Teams then role-play the conflict resolution to demonstrate the effectiveness of their strategy.

Scoring Criteria:

Using a scale of 1-5, the judge/s will award points as follows:

• Effectiveness of the Resolution:
  1: Resolution is ineffective and unlikely to resolve the conflict.
  2: Resolution shows limited effectiveness, with some practical elements.
  3: Resolution is moderately effective, with several practical elements.
  4: Resolution is effective and likely to resolve the conflict, with minor improvements needed.
  5: Resolution is highly effective and comprehensive, with no major issues.

• Role-Playing Quality:
  1: Role-playing is unconvincing and lacks realism.
  2: Role-playing shows limited realism, with some convincing elements.
  3: Role-playing is moderately convincing, with some realistic elements.
  4: Role-playing is convincing and realistic, with minor improvements needed.
  5: Role-playing is exceptionally convincing and realistic, with strong engagement.

• Teamwork:
  1: Teamwork is poor, with minimal collaboration.
  2: Teamwork shows limited collaboration, with some cooperative elements.
  3: Teamwork is moderately collaborative, with several cooperative elements.
  4: Teamwork is collaborative and cooperative, with minor improvements needed.
  5: Teamwork is highly collaborative and cooperative, with strong engagement.

Additional Tips:

• Effective Communication: Clearly state your ideas and ensure they build on previous contributions. Avoid jargon and complicated language to keep the resolution strategy accessible and understandable.

• Active Listening: Pay attention to each team member’s input to ensure relevant and cohesive contributions.

• Time Management: Keep track of time using a timer. Each member should practice delivering their ideas concisely within their allotted time.

• Focus on the Big Picture: Avoid getting bogged down in minor details. Focus on the core elements of the resolution strategy.

• Encourage Creativity: Think outside the box and encourage innovative conflict resolution techniques. A unique strategy is more likely to stand out and be effective.

• Stay Positive and Supportive: Foster a positive environment where all team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas. Constructive feedback is key to refining the resolution strategy.

Example:

Team A’s Resolution Strategy:

• Minute 1 (Leader, Sanjay): "Our conflict scenario involves a PR disaster where a company spokesperson made controversial remarks."

• Minutes 2-3 (Member 2, Annisa): "We propose an immediate public apology and a commitment to better training for all spokespeople."

• Minutes 4-5 (Member 3, James): "Let's also initiate a community outreach program to rebuild trust and demonstrate our values."

• Minutes 6-7 (Member 4, Abigail): "We can create a crisis communication team to manage future incidents more effectively."

Minutes 8-10 (All Members): "We finalize the strategy: immediate public apology, commitment to training, community outreach, and forming a crisis communication team."