Conflict resolution coaching is a new tool to help UC Merced staff members and managers resolve divisive or unproductive work situations. The Human Resources program is built on a partnership model in which the coach encourages and inspires positive change.
Luke Wiesner came to the university in January from Bellingham, Wash., to become UC Merced’s first conflict resolution coach. Wiesner holds a dual Master of Science degree from Creighton University in conflict resolution and negotiation, and in organizational leadership. He has spent most of his career in community, workplace and family conflict resolution. He’s also a diehard baseball fan and roots for the Seattle Mariners.
Director of Talent, Learning and Human Resources Services Fabiola Elizalde said she is thrilled to offer conflict resolution coaching to university staff.
“Luke has been methodical in the design and build of this program. He has established the framework critical to its success,” she said. “I truly believe this program will empower our staff to effectively navigate challenging workplace situations.”
We asked Wiesner about the program and his thoughts about the conflict-resolution coaching process.
What attracted you to the conflict resolution field?
As an idealist in my early 20s, I was concerned with many issues in our world. I was struck by how political disagreements or philosophical differences divided families and friends. I believe we have more knowledge, wisdom and potential together than alone. That said, the differences between us often overshadow our shared values and our common ground, which impacts our ability to work together. For us to take advantage of our collective potential, we need to know how to navigate these differences and use them to our advantage. I got into this work to be of service to others and in service to the pursuit of discovering our collective potential.
What brought you to UC Merced?
My fiancé and I were looking to move to California for about a year when we saw that UC Merced was hiring, so the timing was perfect. For the past five or six years, I worked for a community dispute resolution center, serving as an external party for families, workplaces, community groups and pretty much anyone who needed conflict support. The opportunity to be an internal support for an organization seemed like a chance to provide a more lasting impact on a community. Next thing I knew, we are packing our bags, and we’ve had such a warm welcome to both Merced and the UC community.
How is conflict-resolution coaching useful to staff and managers?
Conflict can be more prevalent and intense at work because the stressors that employees experience often cause fight/flight/freeze responses. These responses are normal and often self-protective. However, they also can escalate conflicts through a fight response or cause people to withdraw through a flight or freeze response. Many of our relationships at work are interdependent, meaning we can’t just up and leave the relationship because things are challenging. Because conflicts can build over time if not addressed, they can be harmful to teams and individuals. This program is designed to be an impartial, private service for employees seeking support in finding productive pathways forward in difficult situations. Discovering those pathways isn’t necessarily easy, but the program is designed to make the journey a bit smoother.
How did you go about creating this program for UC Merced staff?
I see myself in service to our collective potential. So, when I started at UC Merced, I really needed to know what the campus needed to benefit the collective community. I went around campus talking to different offices and employees to gather information about what was needed. It was kind of like putting together a puzzle. I had many pieces from my previous work and education but needed to find the missing pieces that only the campus community had. We have enough pieces now to start providing support, but we will always need to find new pieces along the way to adapt and better serve the community.
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May 05, 2020 at 09:06PM
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