AWT4CL 10 Recognize and Deal Constructively with Conflict Badge

Author: Megan M. Seibel   --
Elevating Workforce Readiness with Digital Learning Badges: Recognize and Deal Constructively with Conflict

In the workplace environment, change is inevitable. Accepting the type of change, aspects of the change, and impacts on those in the middle of it is not always easy or well-managed. The Recognize and Deal Constructively with Conflict digital learning badge (Badge 10) signifies a person’s appreciation and understanding of conflict management in the workplace. For educators and facilitators, integrating this badge into curricula reinforces essential skills that bridge the gap between academic preparation and workforce expectations.

The Importance of Recognizing and Dealing Constructively with Conflict
Consider the following observation from a report on "Conflict and Disagreement at the Farm": For most of us, conflict can be a negatively loaded word. Wherever choices exist, there is potential for disagreement. Such differences, when handled properly, can result in richer, more effective, creative solutions.

When disagreement is poorly dealt with, the outcome can be contention.

Contention creates a sense of psychological distance between people, such as feelings of dislike, alienation, and disregard. Contention can reduce the quality of work life of those directly and indirectly affected. Furthermore, economic loss is often a side effect of reduced communication. Too often, people prefer to make inferences and assumptions rather than check for understanding with those with whom they are involved in a dispute.


How to Integrate the Badge into Your Curriculum
The Recognize and Deal Constructively with Conflict badge can be seamlessly incorporated into the existing curriculum. Below is a suggested learning module with two core components:

1. Interactive Role-Play Activity

  • Objective: Students will understand when conflict may occur in the workplace and how to manage it using methods of dialogue instead of debate.
  • Setup: Students will work in pairs and engage with one another in debate vs. dialogue activities. These support gaining practice and experience with conflict management through open communication and perspective-taking.
  • Execution: Each pair faces each other and debates and argues about which person’s object is better than the other’s. After the debate round, participants discuss the merits of the objects. Class discussion ensues around debate as an effort to win and dialogue as an effort to understand.

2. Reflection Assignment

  • Objective: Deepen understanding of the differences between debate and dialogue.
  • Instructions: Students reflect on personal feelings and reactions to conflict situations and various approaches—such as debate and dialogue—in their own words. Comparisons between exercise and real-life situations illuminate our tendencies toward certain reactions. Reflections can be submitted in writing or as a video.

Why Learners Will Value this Badge?
Earning this badge equips students with tools to handle real-world challenges, and it demonstrates an openness to growth and personal reflection. The badge symbolizes adaptability, emotional intelligence, and professionalism, which are highly valud across industries.

Call to Action

Prepare your students for workforce success by integrating digital learning badges into your curriculum. Start with the Recognize and Deal Constructively with Conflict badge to teach valuable skills when faced with contentious situations. For detailed earning criteria and implementation resources, visit this guide.
Empower your learners to embrace situational conflict and unlock their potential—great careers begin with a willingness to grow.

Additional Resources for Badge Recognize and Deal Constructively with Conflict:

Project Resources:
Instructor Welcome Module
AWT4CL Project Website
AWT4CL Implementation Guide - instructions and example assignments for each badge
APLU - Association of Public & Land-grant Universities Employability Skills
Badging System - AWT4CL Badgr/Canvas Credential badges, maintained by Virginia Tech 


Location: Blacksburg, VA, USA

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