What is it?

“Use Conflict to Change the World” is a four-part series of virtual workshops I’m offering between 10am - 12pm Pacific on the following Saturday mornings: February 22, March 1, March 8, and March 15. (You can learn more about my work at my website: www.jamesboutin.com.)

Has a core part of your life or career involved looking around the room and asking, "How in the world can I change what's happening right now?"

Whether it's personal change, organizational change, or societal change - I think there are certain kinds of people (I'm one of them) who simply refuse to accept what we have.

Things could be so much better.

Now, let me submit another idea to you.

If you're one of these people who's interested in creating change, you're also someone who's interested in conflict.

Some may disagree with me at first. Conflict is not always fun. It doesn't always go so well.

But if you think about it, I think you'll agree that people who are passionate about creating change are often navigating conflict. It comes with the territory of bumping up against the status quo.

And there's good news to go along with this idea.

Conflict can be radically different than what we've been told.

Part of the change we so urgently need to create in 2025 is a change in how we practice conflict.

Failing models of conflict teach us to envision conflict as a struggle for power. With enough grit and determination, we can ultimately overpower those who stand against us.

The people who benefit from that model of conflict are almost never actual participants in the conflict. Rather - they fan the flames anonymously from outside. The last thing they want you to know is that your supposed adversary is actually your ally.

A new and more life-giving model of conflict would involve the recognition that no person, group, or ideology has all the right answers. All the sides in a given conflict are actually needed in order to discover a solution that includes and transcends current ideas - a solution that actually meets more people's needs than any original idea.

Conflict well done is a generative, creative process of growth and transformation.

This model of conflict is something we have to learn. It's not been taught to us, and few of us have the support to use such a model regularly.

My main message with this series of workshops: If we're going to survive on this planet, we need to urgently address the ways we navigate conflict.

Additionally, I am guided by three other basic assumptions:

It’s not only possible to navigate conflict in ways that actually make the world a better place, it’s necessary
Navigating conflict well is always a catalyst for your personal and professional growth
Generative conflict can create incredible strength in your relationships and communities

Who is this for?

You are concerned about the state of our world. You think globally and act locally. You know you have power to shape our shared life and future, and you’re doing your best to show up in alignment with your values.

Because you realize that creating change on any level will necessarily result in conflict as you push up against the status quo, you’re curious about how to improve your conflict skills.

Whether you like it or not, you notice that you tend to be the type of person who’s actually seeking conflict out because of your desire to create needed change.

While you may see valuable solutions that you’d like to implement, you know that the way you go about implementing those solutions is at least as important as the solutions themselves.

While not an exhaustive list, I think this series is especially appropriate for the following groups of people:

HR Professionals
DEI Professionals
Legal Professionals
Educators
Politicians
Coaches / Therapists / Counselors / Facilitators
Leaders & Managers of all kinds
Political advocates and activists
Community organizers
Anyone navigating challenging family or relationship dynamics

Session Titles, Dates, and Times

"Self Awareness - The Foundation of Productive Conflict" (Click here to purchase individually)

February 22, 10am - 12pm Pacific

This workshop is about the needed innerwork to prepare for engaging in generative conflict. We’ll consider essential self-awareness skills and practices that support us as we enter generative conflict.

"Essential Skills for Respecting Your Side and the Other’s Side" (Click here to purchase individually)

March 1, 10am - 12pm Pacific

In this workshop, we’ll consider the radical idea that it’s actually in our best interest to support those we’re in conflict with to express their side as clearly as possible. And we’ll consider how to do that without sacrificing our right to also be fully understood.

"A Deep Dive into Power" (Click here to purchase individually)

March 8, 10am - 12pm Pacific

Hidden power dynamics are often a massive barrier lurking behind the scenes of most intractable conflict. These dynamics often show up in conflict between people of different identities and experiences of privilege. In this workshop, we’ll consider two different kinds of power, and we’ll investigate how we can use power that’s available to us for the benefit of everyone involved in the conflict.

"Community; Culture; Container" (Click here to purchase individually)

March 15, 10am - 12pm Pacific

Conflict between two sides within a supportive community, container, or relationship has a significantly greater chance of success than on its own. This workshop will focus on how we build these containers for the highest likelihood of success.

What Will the Sessions Be Like?

Each workshop will follow the same basic format, with minor exceptions:

Brief Check-In / Who’s In the Room?
Background and Theory Related to the Topic
Exercise or Reflection to Ground the Theory
Live Coaching or Demonstration
Debriefing the Session with Questions and Conversation

Pricing and Details

$45 - Price of each individual workshop, which will include access to the live workshop and recording, plus a PDF with core concepts and exercises associated with each workshop.

$150 - The price of all four workshops together, plus the option to purchase a one-on-one 50-minute coaching session with me for $50. (This is the webpage to purchase the four-workshop bundle.)

Each workshop will be recorded, and recordings will be available to watch until April 15. If you attend the workshops live and participate verbally, please be aware that your image and audio will be recorded and made available for others who purchase the right to view the workshop.

My Approach

If you’d like to know more about my particular approach to conflict, I’d suggest you check out my Generative Conflict Starter Kit, which includes just under an hour of video content and seven reflection questions that can help you develop your capacity for generative conflict.

Writers, thinkers, and facilitators who have had a strong impact on my approach to conflict include:

Aleksandr Peikrishvili

Questions?

Please feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions you may have about these workshops at james.boutin@mailfence.com.