Hot Buttons and Cooling Strategies

This session focuses on dynamics of conflict and explores the role of difference-based triggerpoints. Participants will benefit from understanding their own and others’ conflict styles using the Intercultural Conflict Styles Inventory developed by Dr. Mitchell Hammer, a world-renowned expert in hostage negotiations and conflict resolution. They will engage in various small group activities to examine a nature of their own “hot buttons” related to dealing with differences. A number of practical “cooling” strategies will be introduced and practiced during this session. Special attention will be giving to such techniques as empathy, mindfulness, and assumption of positive intent.