Resources for Ombuds Visitors

Articles

• • Let’s Resolve This… – Sunshine Yen
    • This article explores practical approaches to conflict resolution, offering tips and techniques to resolve disputes effectively and maintain healthy relationships.
  • How to Tell Your Story if You are a Target of Bullying – MWI
    • This article provides guidance on how to articulate your experience if you are a target of bullying, offering strategies for effective communication and self-advocacy.
  • When You Want to Be Hybrid, But Your Boss Wants You in the Office – Rachel Montañez
    • This article discusses strategies for negotiating flexible work arrangements, offering advice on how to present your case effectively when your preferences conflict with your employer’s expectations.
  • Don’t Ask for a Raise, Negotiate It – Carol Hagh
    • This article encourages a proactive approach to salary discussions, emphasizing negotiation techniques to secure better compensation and benefits by focusing on value and mutual benefit.

Tools

• • Drafting and Perhaps Sending a Private Letter to a Person Who has Harassed or Offended You – Mary Rowe
    • This tool provides a framework for drafting a personal letter to someone who has harassed or offended you, focusing on clear communication and the potential benefits of addressing the issue privately.

Videos

• • William Ury Media Library, including;
  • Getting to Yes

• • Why: Interests behind Positions

• • The Power of a Positive No

Books

• • Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High – Kerry Patterson et al.
    • This book offers strategies for navigating high-stakes conversations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safety and mutual respect to achieve positive outcomes.
  • Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition – Kerry Patterson et al.
    • The second edition updates the original with new research and insights, providing refined tools for handling difficult conversations and improving communication effectiveness in critical situations.
  • Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It – Chris Voss, Michael Kramer, et al
    • This book presents negotiation techniques rooted in FBI hostage negotiation strategies, emphasizing psychological tactics to achieve better outcomes in both personal and professional negotiations.
  • Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In – Roger Fisher, William Ury, & Bruce Patton 
    • A classic text on principled negotiation, this book introduces the concept of finding mutual gains and separating people from the problem to reach fair agreements without compromising relationships.
  •  Working with Conflict: Skills and Strategies for Action –  Simon Fisher, et al.
    • This book offers practical tools and strategies for addressing conflict in various contexts, focusing on both the skills needed and the actions required to manage and resolve disputes effectively.

Articles

• • The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth
    • This book explores how to create a workplace culture where employees feel safe to speak up, take risks, and engage in open dialogue, which is crucial for innovation and growth.

Video

• • Active Listening – Optimal Lifestyle

• • Creating a Speak-Up Culture – Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract – Stephen Shedletzky

Books

• • Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Third Edition – Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, et al
    • The third edition builds on the earlier versions with updated content and additional tools for managing conversations where the stakes are high, focusing on achieving resolution while maintaining relationships.
  •  Working with Conflict: Skills and Strategies for Action –  Simon Fisher, et al.
    • This book offers practical tools and strategies for addressing conflict in various contexts, focusing on both the skills needed and the actions required to manage and resolve disputes effectively.
  • Humble Inquiry, Second Edition: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling – The Humble Leadership Series
    • This book advocates for a leadership style centered on asking thoughtful questions and listening, encouraging genuine dialogue, and building trust through curiosity and humility.

Articles

• Conflict Management Styles & Interactions – Govloop
  • This article outlines different conflict management styles, such as avoiding, accommodating, and collaborating, and explains how each style impacts interactions in the workplace.
• Conflict Resolution Cheat Sheet – ProCognita
  • A concise guide offering quick tips and strategies for resolving conflicts effectively, focusing on practical steps to address disputes in a constructive manner.
• Conflict Resolution Tip Sheet – HSAG
  • This tip sheet provides actionable advice for managing conflicts, emphasizing clear communication, understanding different perspectives, and finding common ground.
• Tools for a Conflict Management – SALTO
  • This resource offers tools and techniques for managing conflicts, especially in youth work and intercultural settings, promoting dialogue and mutual understanding.
• Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument – Kilmann Diagnostics
  • A widely used assessment tool that helps individuals identify their preferred conflict-handling style, enabling them to understand and adapt their approach to conflict.
• Mental Safety in the Workplace Toolkit – WorkSafe – lots of great resources
  • A toolkit providing resources to promote mental safety in the workplace, offering strategies for creating a supportive environment where employees can thrive.
• Examples of Conflict in the Workplace – Scenarios & Solutions – Power to Fly
  • This article presents real-life workplace conflict scenarios and offers solutions, providing insights into effective conflict resolution strategies.
• 6 Workplace Conflict Examples with Useful Resolutions – Indeed Editorial Team
  • The article highlights six common workplace conflicts and suggests practical resolutions, focusing on maintaining professionalism and collaboration.
• 7 Workplace Conflict Examples (Plus How to Handle Each One) – Sara McCord
  • A detailed exploration of seven workplace conflict scenarios with guidance on how to address each one, emphasizing the importance of communication and empathy.
• 10 Common Examples of Workplace Conflicts (And Solutions) – Bradford Glaser
  • This resource discusses ten frequent workplace conflicts and provides actionable solutions, helping managers and employees navigate disputes effectively.
• 8 Workplace Conflict Examples & Their Resolutions – Valerie Dansereau
  • An article that explores eight types of workplace conflicts and suggests resolutions, focusing on preserving workplace harmony and productivity.
• Resolve Workplace Conflicts Like a Pro: Effective Conflict Management Strategies – Monther Wahbeh
  • This guide offers strategies for effectively managing workplace conflicts, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and proactive communication.
• Managing Conflicts in the Workplace. – Relationships Australia
  • This resource provides insights and tools for managing workplace conflicts, focusing on maintaining healthy relationships and creating a positive work environment.
• Respectful Authenticity – Robert Glazer – Acceleration Partners
  • An article discussing the balance between being authentic and respectful in the workplace, offering advice on how to communicate openly while maintaining professionalism.
• Collaboration and Team Science: A Field Guide – National Cancer Institute
  • This field guide provides tools and strategies for fostering collaboration in scientific research, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and conflict resolution in advancing scientific goals.

Articles

• • How Bullying Manifests at Work and How to Stop It – Ludmila Praslova et al.
    • This article examines various forms of workplace bullying and provides actionable strategies for preventing and addressing such behavior to create a safer work environment.
  • How to Tell Your Story if You are a Target of Bullying – MWI
    • This article guides individuals on how to effectively share their experiences of bullying, offering tips on framing the narrative and advocating for oneself in a constructive way.
  • Checklist For Responding to Rudeness – MWI
    • A practical checklist that offers steps for responding to rude behavior in the workplace, focusing on maintaining professionalism while addressing the issue.

Tools

• • Implicit Bias Test – Harvard’s Project Implicit
    • An online tool designed to help individuals uncover their unconscious biases, providing insights that can lead to more equitable behavior in the workplace.
  • Are You Perceived as a Workplace Bully? – Civility Partners
    • This self-assessment tool helps individuals evaluate their behavior to determine if they may be perceived as a bully at work, offering insights for improvement.
  • Does Your Management Style Facilitate Workplace Bullying Within Your Team? – Civility Partners
    • A tool for managers to assess whether their leadership style may be contributing to a culture of bullying, with recommendations for fostering a healthier team dynamic.

Videos

• • Dealing with a Bully at Work

• • Mental Safety in the Workplace – WorkSafe

• • Senior Level Bullying – Got a workplace bully? Do this next.

Books

• • The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t – Robert Sutton
    • This book explores how toxic behavior in the workplace, particularly from “assholes,” can damage organizations and offers strategies to create a more civil and productive work environment.
  • Just Work: How to Root Out Bias, Prejudice, and Bullying to Build a Kick-Ass Culture of Inclusivity – Kim Scott
    • Kim Scott’s book focuses on addressing workplace injustices, including bias, prejudice, and bullying, providing practical tools for creating an inclusive and fair culture.
  • The Bully-Free Workplace: Stop Jerks, Weasels, and Snakes from Killing Your Organization – Gary & Ruth Namie
    • This book offers strategies for organizations to eliminate workplace bullying, emphasizing the need for strong leadership and clear policies to protect employees and maintain a healthy work environment.
  • Taming the Abrasive Manager– Dr. Laura Crawshaw
    • This book is an ideal resource for managers, human resource professionals, coaches, and anyone who works for or with an abrasive boss.
  • Grow Your Spine & Manage Abrasive Leadership Behavior: A Guide for Those Who Manage Bosses Who Bully– Dr. Laura Crawshaw
    • This book shows shows managers how to fearlessly manage bosses who behave badly, ensuring a psychologically safe workplace.

Articles

• • Delivering Effective Feedback – MWI
    • This article outlines techniques for giving constructive feedback in a way that is clear, actionable, and supportive. It emphasizes the importance of timing, framing the message with care, and focusing on behaviors and outcomes rather than personal criticism.
  • 5 Strategies for Conflict Resolution in the Workplace – Harvard Business School
    • This article presents five key strategies for resolving workplace conflicts, including collaboration, compromise, and accommodation. It also discusses when and how to apply each approach to achieve positive outcomes, reduce tensions, and foster productive working relationships.

Tools

• • Difficult Conversations Checklist – MWI
    • This tool offers a framework for handling tough discussions. It emphasizes goal-setting, active listening, and empathy to help navigate conflict and achieve positive outcomes.
  • Starting the Difficult Conversation – MWI
    • This tool helps individuals initiate tough discussions by emphasizing preparation, respectful tone, and clear intentions for constructive engagement.

Videos

• • The Beauty of Conflict – TEDx Talks

• • 3 ways to resolve a conflict – TED Institute

• • How to deal with difficult people – TEDx Talks

• • Miscommunication – TED-Ed

Books

• • We have to talk: A step-by-step Checklist for Difficult Conversations – Judy Ringer
    • This book provides a practical guide to handling tough conversations, focusing on preparation and mindfulness. It offers step-by-step strategies to engage in difficult dialogue with clarity and confidence, using techniques from conflict resolution and communication.
  • 101 Tough Conversations to Have with Employees: A Manager’s Guide to Addressing Performance, Conduct, and Discipline Challenges – Paul Falcone
    • This guide equips managers with scripts and strategies to handle challenging employee discussions. It covers topics like performance issues, workplace behavior, and discipline, aiming to help leaders maintain professionalism and fairness in difficult conversations.
  • Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High – Joseph Grenny et al.
    • This book teaches how to navigate conversations where emotions run high and the outcomes matter. It emphasizes staying calm under pressure, listening effectively, and fostering honest dialogue, with tools to help achieve successful outcomes in high-stakes situations.
  • Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition – Joseph Grenny et al.
    • An updated version of the original, this edition includes fresh insights and examples to reinforce the core principles of crucial conversations. It refines the tools and strategies for navigating sensitive, high-impact conversations with greater skill and confidence.

Articles

• A Fresh Take on Feedback:  The Shift Positive Method – Scott Deyo, Ombuds
• Delivering Effective Feedback – MWI
  • This article offers strategies for giving constructive feedback with clarity and support, fostering growth and positive relationships.
• Twelve Tips to Promote a Feedback Culture with a Growth Mind-Set: Swinging the feedback pendulum from recipes to relationships. Medical Teacher, 2019 June 41(6), 625-631. S. Ramani, et al.
  • The article provides twelve strategies for fostering a feedback culture in education, emphasizing relationships, open dialogue, and a growth mindset to support continuous improvement and collaboration.

Videos

• • Introduction to Feedback – Stone and Heen

• • The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well – Stone and Heen

The International Ombuds Association (IOA) is a professional organization that promotes the principles and practices of organizational ombuds and trains ombuds worldwide. These documents provide a framework for the Ombuds’ commitment to confidentiality, impartiality, independence, and informality.

• IOA Code of Ethics – IOA
• IOA Standards of Practice – IOA

Videos

• • Who are ombuds – IOA

• • Ombuds: An Emerging Resource for Organizational Conflict – TEDxUCLA – Tom Kosakowski