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Perspectives

Perspectives – Conflict Resolution Reflection Activity

Category: Games & Activities  |  Hits: 2,596  |  Estimated Time: 40–50 minutes

Learning Objectives

  • Develop empathy by understanding differing perspectives in conflicts.
  • Recognize how assumptions influence perceptions and miscommunication.
  • Practice reframing reactive statements to foster constructive dialogue.
  • Apply skills to manage real-life workplace conflicts more effectively.

Materials Needed

  • Writing materials (notebooks, pens)
  • Flipcharts or whiteboards and markers
  • Printed or digital handouts of the Ladder of Inference model
  • Optional: Collaborative online platforms or breakout rooms for virtual delivery
Facilitator Tip: Set psychological safety up front: establish confidentiality, use neutral examples first, and encourage curiosity over certainty.

Activity 1: Perspectives – Seeing Through Their Eyes

Objective: Build empathy by analyzing conflict from another person’s viewpoint.

  1. Ask participants to recall a recent personal or work conflict.
  2. Give 5–10 minutes for silent reflection and writing responses to these questions:
    • What was the conflict about?
    • What was your perspective in this conflict?
    • What might have been the other person’s perspective?
    • Assuming good intent, why might they have behaved that way?
  3. Optional: Pair participants to share reflections and listen actively.

Group Debrief Questions:

  • How did considering the other person’s intent affect your feelings about the conflict?
  • Did your assumptions or judgments shift after this exercise?
  • How could perspective-taking help in live conflict situations?

Activity 2: The Ladder of Inference

Objective: Understand how assumptions form and how they can cause miscommunication and conflict escalation.

  1. Present a neutral workplace scenario (e.g., “A teammate left a meeting abruptly”).
  2. Ask each participant to write down their initial assumptions or interpretations (3–5 minutes).
  3. Introduce the Ladder of Inference model visually with the steps:
    • Observe data
    • Select data
    • Interpret meaning
    • Make assumptions
    • Draw conclusions
    • Take action
  4. In pairs, retrace the assumptions step by step to identify possible leaps and misinterpretations (10–15 minutes).

Group Debrief Questions:

  • What assumptions did you recognize as unfounded or premature?
  • How might awareness of this model change your approach to conflict?
  • What strategies could you use to check assumptions in future situations?

Activity 3: Reframing Conflict Statements

Objective: Practice transforming blame-oriented statements into curiosity- or needs-based language to foster constructive dialogue.

  1. Provide each group with examples of reactive, blame-oriented statements such as:
    • “You never listen to me.”
    • “She just decides everything on her own.”
  2. Ask groups to reframe statements into curiosity-based or needs-focused versions. For example:
  • “I feel unheard in meetings. Could we discuss how we share ideas better?”
  • “I’d like to understand your decision-making process more.”
  • Groups share their reframed statements aloud, discussing how tone and impact have shifted (15–20 minutes).
  • Group Debrief Questions:

    • How did reframing affect the perceived tone and openness of the statements?
    • Can reframing help reduce defensiveness in conflicts?
    • What challenges might arise when trying to reframe statements in real conversations?

    Trainer Tips

    • Create a safe and supportive environment for sharing personal reflections.
    • Encourage balanced participation—pair quieter members with more vocal ones.
    • Use visual aids like diagrams and handouts to clarify models and techniques.
    • Monitor group dynamics and provide gentle support during sensitive discussions.
    • Adapt activities for virtual sessions using breakout rooms and shared documents.

    Practical Applications

    • Encourage participants to apply perspective-taking and reframing techniques in upcoming conflicts.
    • Suggest journaling or peer discussions to reinforce learning.
    • Invite sharing of successful application stories in follow-up sessions.

    Related Training Material Packages

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is this activity suitable for sensitive conflicts?

    Yes—start with anonymized or low‑stakes scenarios, set confidentiality, and allow participants to pass on sharing details.

    How do I introduce the Ladder of Inference quickly?

    Use a 60‑second sketch: See data → Select → Interpret → Assume → Conclude → Act. Then ask, “Where did we jump a rung?”

    What if discussions get heated?

    Pause, breathe, and switch to a curiosity prompt: “What am I not seeing?” or “What need is underneath this view?” Resume with ground rules.

    Remote‑friendly adaptation?

    Use breakout rooms, collaborative docs for reframing, and quick polls to surface common assumptions before debrief.

    How can we measure impact after the session?

    Run a 2‑week follow‑up pulse with two items: confidence using reframing; frequency of checking assumptions. Compare to pre‑session.

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