Ep. 20 Conflict Part 1: Signals That Something Needs/Wants to Change

Across the next two episodes, Katie talks with ORSC coach and legally trained consultant Jennifer Pernfuss and CRR Global co-founder Marita Fridjhon about conflict. Conflict is a signal that something is trying to happen and when the signal of conflict isn't addressed, matters can escalate to other, and often more destructive forms of conflict. Conflict falls on a spectrum, and if we can become aware of the early warning signals we can produce better, more well-considered, outcomes. However, if conflict takes root and is left unaddressed it can escalate and, in more serious cases, become harassment or bullying, or at least be experienced that way, which causes all kinds of damage. This damage can rise to the level of a crisis within the team or organization. In part 1 they discuss:

• The meaning of conflict as a signal that something is trying to happen
• Becoming more attuned to conflict signals
• Understanding that conflict is a normal and inevitable part of life
• Leaning into conflict and learning how to navigate it more skillfully

Jennifer Pernfuss is an ORSC coach and legally trained consultant, helping organizations effectively address and resolve workplace harassment complaints and transform conflict. She was one of the first legally trained consultants to conduct external investigations in Ontario. She left that work to study different ways of resolving employee complaints that encourage low-level resolution and regard for all the stakeholders in a dispute.  In addition to a law degree, she has a degree in Psychology and is a trained mediator. As well as being a certified Organization and Relationship Systems Coach she is also a Trauma Informed Professional Coach. In addition, she has also had the pleasure of being trained by Brene Brown in the area of shame.  All her education, training, personal and field experience has culminated in a unique and highly effective approach to addressing and resolving harassment and other forms of conflict in the workplace.

Marita Fridjhon is a co-founder and CEO of CRR Global and mentor to an ever-growing community of practitioners in the field of Relationship Systems work. She designs curriculum and operates training programs in Relationship Systems Work for coaches, executives and teams. She came to this work from an extensive background in Clinical Social Work, Community Development, Process Work, Family Systems Therapy, Business Consulting and Alternative Dispute Resolution. She has an international mentor coaching practice of individuals, partnerships and teams. Her primary focus in coaching is on systemic change, leveraging differences, creative communication, deep democracy in conflict management and the development of Learning Organizations.

For over 20 years, CRR Global has accompanied leaders, teams, and practitioners on their journey to build stronger relationships by focusing on the relationship itself, not only the individuals occupying it. This leads to a community of changemakers around the world. Supported by a global network of Faculty and Partners, we connect, inspire, and equip change agents to shift systems, one relationship at a time

We believe Relationship Matters, from humanity to nature, to the larger whole.