Conflict Resolution Services For Colleges And Universities

JAMS Pathways uses a structured, phased methodology for custom facilitation services designed to help groups of stakeholders work together more effectively, understand one another’s perspectives and interests, build alignment, and make progress toward a shared objective. Our approach is flexible and tailored to the needs of each engagement, but it generally unfolds in four integrated phases: discovery and context assessment; process design; engagement and live management; synthesis and reporting. You can learn more here.

Effective mediation is a process, and it starts with preparation. Our mediators begin well before the session by developing a preliminary understanding of the dispute and those involved. This typically involves reviewing relevant written materials (if any) and conducting confidential, one-on-one interviews with the participants. Thoughtful preparation sets the stage for a productive session.

During the session, the mediator facilitates communication between the participants to help them hear each other’s perspectives, acknowledge areas of disagreement, identify shared interests, and seek opportunities for alignment. Mediators guide discussions of the issues, facilitate compromise where appropriate, and help the parties work toward a mutually agreeable resolution. Good mediators listen closely to all perspectives, ensure every participant feels heard, and offer creative solutions the parties may not have considered.

JAMS Pathways helps organizations establish multi-tiered systems to resolve disputes at the lowest possible level. A robust, multi-tiered approach to conflict resolution decreases costs, increases satisfaction, and lowers the risks associated with handling serious conflicts too informally and less serious conflicts too formally.

Systems design begins with an assessment to understand organizational culture, structure, and existing dispute resolution mechanisms. From there, we design tiers that may range from communication protocols, recommended trainings, ombudsman services, mediation procedures, arbitration agreements, and more. Implementation and evaluation follow, all with an eye to resolving conflicts efficiently, fairly, and with minimal disruption to workflow. Read more about it here.

We teach proven, real-world strategies for de-escalating and resolving conflict. We give learners practical tools to use right away, such as priming, listening to understand, reframing, and perspective-taking. Our course also explores interest-based mediation principles—including interests, options, and alternatives—and how to apply them in the workplace.

Our interactive sessions are taught by professional mediators and include facilitated exercises to reinforce concepts and help learners put ideas into action. Participants leave better prepared to navigate conflict with confidence, clarity, and constructive intent. Learn more here.

Inspiring leaders craft and convey vision. They balance empathy and assertiveness. They make sound decisions under risk and uncertainty. They foster connection and see conflict as an opportunity for collaboration. Our leadership training helps leaders do these things better. You can learn more here.

An external ombuds acts as an independent, impartial resource to help address workplace concerns and conflict. Our ombuds serve as trusted, neutral resources where employees and leadership can discuss concerns, explore options, and build strategies to overcome conflict. Our ombuds share high-level insights with management, which can enable leadership teams to spot patterns and address systemic problems before they escalate. Read more about our ombuds services here.