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Individual Proposal

Innovative Leadership

Rising Leaders Peer Network: Conflict Resolution

Wednesday, April 8, 2026
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM CDT
Location: Baird Ballroom A
CE: 1
CE Type: SHRM
Education Level: Novice
Navigating conflict is an essential skill for emerging leaders in employee-owned companies. This interactive session introduces a practical framework for managing crucial conversations where emotions run high, opinions differ, and someone may not get what they want.
Participants will learn when to initiate difficult conversations, how to prepare mentally and emotionally, and how to recognize when discussions are going off track. Using the STATE Your Path model adapted from "Crucial Conversations," attendees will practice approaching conflict with curiosity, managing their own emotions, and creating psychological safety to reach productive outcomes.

NCEO Peer Networking: Rising Leaders Peer Network

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify when to initiate crucial conversations by recognizing signs that conflict needs to be addressed, including unresolved resentment, stalled progress on goals, or conversations happening behind closed doors.
  2. Apply the STATE Your Path framework to structure difficult conversations by sharing facts and intentions, asking for others' perspectives, and collaboratively exploring solutions.
  3. Recognize and respond to emotional escalation by identifying flight and fight behaviors in themselves and others, then using de-escalation techniques to restore safety and keep conversations productive.