When Differences of Opinion Escalate: Conflict Resolution Skills for Local Elected Officials
- Zoom, NCMarch 24, 2021

When Differences of Opinion Escalate: Conflict Resolution Skills for Local Elected Officials will be offered March 26, 2021 ONLINE via Zoom. The class begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 2:00 p.m. with a lunch break inbetween.
Conflict at its lowest level is a difference of opinion. However, these differences can escalate and result in strained relationships that impede problem solving, successful goal attainment, and effective governance. We do not have to be resigned to these uncomfortable moments and resort to avoidance or aggression. There is a middle path to responding to conflicts in a civil fashion that supports hearing all sides of an issue regardless of the final outcome.
If you want to influence others to listen to your perspective, if you want to reduce being misunderstood and misunderstanding others, if you want to manage the inevitable tensions that arise for elected officials with one another, citizens and staff, and if you want to maximize your effectiveness as an elected official to carry out your vision for running for office in the first place, there are tools to add to your toolbox.
The class begins at 10:00am via Zoom. There will be a lunch break from 11:45 to 12:30. The class concludes at 2:00pm.
In this workshop, you will strengthen your ability to effectively manage conflict in a variety of settings by:
a) Identifying when differences of opinion are about to escalate
b) Adding tools that help in deescalating conflicts
c) Practicing five methods for conflict resolution
This highly interactive video workshop will help you develop the leadership skills that allow you to express principled differences in a civil way.
Dr. Heather Lee of Developmental Associates offers an interactive online workshop using presentation, video, small group discussions, and scenario practices to help improve your ability to identify and manage conflict.
The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners provides cost offsets for county elected officials to attend LELA courses. For information on this discount click here.
Local Government Federal Credit Union offers scholarships to local government employees to apply toward tuition for conferences, classes, and seminars offered by the School of Government. There are four deadlines to submit applications:
- March 1 (for courses starting between April 1 and June 30)
- June 1 (for courses starting between July 1 and September 30)
- September 1 (for courses starting between October 1 and December 31)
- December 1 (for courses starting between January 1 and March 31)
LELA | 4.00 hrs |
- Zoom, NCMarch 24Zoom
Zoom, NC 27599View Scholarship InformationThe North Carolina Association of County Commissioners provides cost offsets for county elected officials to attend LELA courses. For information on this discount click here.
Local Government Federal Credit Union offers scholarships to local government employees to apply toward tuition for conferences, classes, and seminars offered by the School of Government. There are four deadlines to submit applications:
- March 1 (for courses starting between April 1 and June 30)
- June 1 (for courses starting between July 1 and September 30)
- September 1 (for courses starting between October 1 and December 31)
- December 1 (for courses starting between January 1 and March 31)
View Cancellation PolicyCourse participants who cancel their registration on or before March 16, 2021 will receive a full refund. No refund will be made for cancellations on or after March 17, 2021, but you will receive a transferrable credit to be used within 12 months. Click here to view the School’s full cancellation and refund policy.$175.00Registration and payment for this course grants access for a single attendee. In order to register a group of attendees, please register each person individually. If you have questions, please contact our registration office at registration@sog.unc.edu or 919.966.4414.