Conflict Resolution for Volunteers
Defuse tension and resolve disagreements calmly while you serve.
For: Any volunteer
What you’ll learn
- Recognize the early signs of rising conflict
- Use de-escalation language to calm a situation
- Resolve disagreements while preserving relationships
- Know when to step back and hand a situation to staff
Screen your volunteers for $5
VolunteerBadge runs FCRA-compliant background checks for just $5 — with identity verification built in. No monthly fees, no contracts.
Create a free account →Course outline
- 1
What conflict really is (and isn’t)
4 min
- 2
Reading the warning signs early
5 min
- 3
The de-escalation toolkit
5 min
- 4
Active listening: the core skill
5 min
- 5
From positions to interests: solving it together
5 min
- 6
Knowing your limits: when to hand it off
4 min
- 7
After the storm: repair and learn
2 min
Sources & further reading
- CPP Inc. (Global Human Capital Report) — Workplace Conflict and How Businesses Can Harness It to Thrive
- Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) — De-escalation Tips & the Verbal Escalation Continuum
- Kilmann Diagnostics — The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI)
- MindTools — Active Listening: Hear What People Are Really Saying
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission — Resolving Workplace Disputes & Mediation
This course is educational and provides general information about the Fair Credit Reporting Act and volunteer-screening best practices. It is not legal advice. Laws vary by state and change over time — consult a qualified attorney about your organization’s specific obligations.