Community Building and Conflict Resolution (CBCR)

One of the best ways to prevent unproductive conflict is to build skills, relationships and trust. CBCR offers team and community building, providing the following services that can be used for professional development, team activities or retreats:

• Community building circles – Developed to create deeper connections amongst the team.
• Community planning sessions – Use the Art of Hosting process to create customized strategic community conversations about topics such as goals/mission/vision, community agreements, assessing community priorities and imagining the future.
• Training – Our workshops can be used to build skills in preventing conflict or promoting resolution when conflicts arise. 

CBCR uses mediation and restorative processes to address conflict, with a focus on problem-solving, restoring relationships, accountability and social support to all parties involved. Our work is based on professional practice and academic scholarship. Restorative services can now be found working in tandem with criminal justice systems, K-12 education and higher education.

Why people seek conflict resolution:

• Find a non-punitive path towards resolution
• Be actively involved in the process and outcomes
• Be heard and have impact acknowledged
• Repair a relationship
• Seek or offer accountability
• Identify action steps towards repair
• Find an agreeable solution to conflict for both parties (mediation)

CBCR seeks to resolve conflict, and:

• Rebuild community
• Strengthen relationships
• Recognize the core humanity and dignity of all involved
• Support accountability and communal problem solving
• Emphasize learning and growth
• Align with The Ohio State University’s Shared Values and learning goals, and support student and employee development and retention

Need support? 

Reach out to us for a consultation by contacting childers.23@osu.edu. 

Leaders, departments, units or individuals can contact CBCR for support. Ombuds, Human Resources, Compliance or a related unit can also refer a concern to CBCR. We will work with the individual parties to determine if community building, mediation or a restorative process is appropriate.

If we cannot meet your needs, we will connect you with the appropriate resources.

Once we receive a request, a staff member will reach out to schedule a 30-minute consultation. Participation is always voluntary, and participants can leave the process at any time.

“I just don't know how to have this conversation.” If you’ve ever had this thought, you aren’t alone! Our 90-minute workshop equips you with the confidence and skills to engage in meaningful and connecting conversations at work. You’ll learn how to approach difficult topics with empathy, defuse tensions, and create a space for open, honest dialogue. Whether it’s addressing misunderstandings or resolving conflicts, this session provides actionable techniques to transform challenging discussions into pathways for deeper understanding and collective progress. 

Offered: 

Sept. 10, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Oct. 28, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Learn more and register

Conflict is a common part of the work we do every day. While unresolved conflict can create tension and impact trust, with support and intentional communication skills, conflict can also open the door to deeper understanding, increased connection and meaningful resolutions — even in fast-paced work environments. Our 90-minute “Reflect and Restore” workshop creates a supportive space for participants to explore how they approach conflict and learn effective conflict management skills that can help individuals get "unstuck" in their communication strategies and find meaningful paths forward. 

Offered: 

Sep. 2, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Oct. 21, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Conflict is a natural part of working with others, and it can be especially challenging when trauma responses and emotional distress are involved. This workshop helps participants understand how trauma and distress can influence workplace conflict and communication. Participants will become familiar with definitions of trauma, recognize how trauma responses and distress may show up in themselves and others at work, and develop practical skills for navigating conflict to better care for themselves and their colleagues during challenging workplace interactions.

Offered: 

Sept. 16, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Nov. 4, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dec. 2, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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At work, we all want to be heard, to be valued, and to do meaningful work alongside people we respect. When stress runs high and conflicts arise, we can often lose sight of these shared goals. Frustrations can turn into judgments, and unmet needs can lead to demands that spark defensiveness and disconnection at work.

Our workshop invites you to transform needs into invitations. Participants will explore the difference between a demand (which closes doors) and a request (which opens the door to collaboration). We’ll explore how to look beneath the surface of everyday conflicts to honor your own needs—and the needs of your teammates—while preserving trust, empathy, and mutual respect.

Offered:

Sept. 23, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 10, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Dec. 9, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

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Mistakes and misunderstandings happen in the workplace every day, and this often leads to blame, defensiveness, or fear. When trust breaks down, so does team connection. But what if making a mistake was viewed not as a failure, but as an opportunity to deepen collaboration and strengthen relationships?

This interactive workshop explores restorative accountability — a framework designed to help us move beyond blame and step into ownership, acknowledgement and shared growth. Participants will learn the four stages of restorative accountability and practice owning impact to foster growth and reduce fear and blame in our professional relationships.

Offered: 

Oct. 7, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 18, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Dec. 16, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Learn more and register

• Community and team building
• Community-based strategic planning
• Dialogue skills
• Restorative leadership
• Conflict resolution