Allen Oelschlaeger
CEO, Vistelar Conflict Management
Milwaukee
www.vistelar.com
Industry: Conflict management training
Allen Oelschlaeger spent more than 20 years dealing with interpersonal conflict within large corporations before becoming an entrepreneur in the late 1990s. Since then, as the CEO of a conflict management training company, he has discovered that conflict exists in all organizations, no matter the size.
โWhen differences divide us, treating people with dignity by showing them respect establishes a common ground for resolving disagreements. Thatโs the foundational principle for managing conflict that we teach at Vistelar. The problem is that most people, when faced with conflict, donโt do this. Instead, they rely on their natural inclinations and react impulsively, which often leads to disastrous results.
โWhen this occurs, a leaderโs job is to help all involved realize that treating people with dignity by showing them respect is in everyoneโs best interest โ and to start behaving in this manner.
โThe key is understanding how to do this by using these five maxims: listen with all your senses; ask, donโt tell others to do something; explain why theyโre being asked; offer options, not threats; give a second chance.
โSo, if youโre faced with conflict thatโs getting out of control, there are many strategies for treating the involved parties with dignity โ but your starting point should be to act according to those five maxims. If you do, youโll find the results will be magical and result in a healthier bottom line.โ