Course Description
Conflict is an inevitable part of professional and personal life. Whether it’s navigating team dynamics, addressing performance issues, or resolving interpersonal differences, the ability to manage conflict effectively is a vital skill that can set leaders apart. Equally important is the ability to negotiate — to find common ground, influence outcomes, and build mutually beneficial solutions. Together, conflict resolution and negotiation skills enable professionals to foster stronger relationships, enhance collaboration, and achieve positive results in even the most challenging situations.
Course Outline
- Foundations
- Choosing Your Path
- Key Skills and Strategies for Connecting
- Negotiation Effectiveness
- Conflict and Negotiation in Teams
- Conflict and Negotiation in Organizational Change
What You Will Learn
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
- Explain the nature, causes, and dynamics of conflict in professional settings, and identify how conflict escalates and can be constructively addressed.
- Assess how personal factors—including personality, culture, and values—influence individual conflict and negotiation styles, and adapt approaches accordingly.
- Demonstrate key communication skills—including active listening, assertiveness, and persuasive messaging—to manage difficult conversations and foster collaborative outcomes.
- Apply a range of conflict resolution strategies and negotiation frameworks—including interest-based negotiation and power/influence dynamics—based on context and relationships.
- Navigate the full negotiation process—from preparation to agreement and reflection—using structured tools to support ethical and effective outcomes.
- Develop a personalized leadership approach to conflict and negotiation, grounded in emotional intelligence, ethical decision-making, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Microcredential
This course provides learners with the opportunity to earn a microcredential. A microcredential is evidence of a skill or competency that is employment related. Dalhousie microcredentials are developed in collaboration with employers, industries, and/or organizations that relate to the content. A microcredential can be displayed on social media pages, digital resumes, personal webpages, and in email signatures. To earn the microcredential in this course, learners will need to successfully complete a competency-based assessment.
Notes
The Faculty of OLCD recommends an intermediate level of English language proficiency for the most effective learning and participation in our online and face-to-face courses. A list of minimum recommended scores on some common English tests can be found on our website. If you have questions about your English language proficiency and ability to succeed in this course, please contact openlearning@dal.ca.
Recommended For
This course is recommended for early-to-mid level professionals and provides practical tools to manage interpersonal disputes, de-escalate tensions, and negotiate effectively in complex environments.
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- Diploma in Executive Fire Leadership : Electives
- Diploma in General Fire Leadership : Elective - Certificate in Operational Planning
- Certificate in Human Resource Leadership : Required
- Non-Credit Diploma in Professional and Leadership Studies : Required - Human Resource Leadership
- Certificate in Operational Planning : Required
- Certificate in Police Supervisory Skills : Required
- Post-Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Leadership : Required