A preview of the Conflict Competence webpage.

September 24

Typically, the Steps to Leaps in Action highlights a program or department making an impact. This month, we are highlighting the Steps to Leaps Conflict Competence resources because they are being used in various departments and classrooms on campus. 

National and world events taking place during the fall semester may heighten the possibility of conflict. Students are navigating these topics and events with their peers and mentors. Staff are also grappling with these events while working diligently to ensure the Purdue community embodies the values of freedom of speech and ideas.

Even after we navigate this political moment and these world events, there will inevitably be new turbulence. How we engage with students around conflict can lay the foundation for how they approach future conflicts. Using resources like the Conflict Competence Modules can teach students and staff about conflict styles and the steps they can take to resolve conflict. All groups can find resources to help support them once they’ve been in a conflict in these modules or on the Steps to Leaps website. Helping students find this information and resources early on can have a lasting impact.  

There are varying ways to support students and their ability to navigate conflict. Weaving conflict competence training into leadership and professional development can build students’ capacity to participate more fully in the organization. Assigning the first module for a class before students are assigned group projects can lessen the likelihood of negative conflict. Simply posting a link to the resources can provide students with an opportunity to build their grit/persistence.  

We’ve shared these resources to encourage you to share them with your students but are also available for additional support. Steps to Leaps can also present conflict competence to your students, send your students an invitation to add the modules in Brightspace or come to your staff meeting to talk about how to develop your students’ conflict competence. Simply email stepstoleaps@purdue.edu to begin these processes.