Training

'Yes, but not today' is how people usually respond to challenging situations or conflicts. Unsurprisingly, we feel that we need to prepare for disagreements because we often associate them with uncomfortable and threatening emotions. 
In the absence of open conflict, we can carry on as though everything is all right, even when we know it isn't. Without resolution, conflict merely provides an opportunity to recycle old arguments, destroy relationships and negatively impact cooperation and productivity.

Many people dread negotiation, failing to recognise that they negotiate regularly — even daily — if 'negotiation' is defined as 'back-and-forth communication designed to reach an agreement when you and the other party have some shared and some opposed interests'.

With resolution, conflict can be rewarding and exciting, moving things forward. This course is designed to help participants engage with conflicts constructively rather than avoiding or escalating them unnecessarily. It will provide relevant, confidence-building tools for handling challenging situations more effectively.

Learning Objectives - Overview

Causes and Sources of Conflicts
… what are we really fighting about?
- Conflicts within ourselves – inner plurality
- Different values, goals and how-to’s

The Psychology of Conflict
... why they have a “bad reputation”
- Handling strong, uncomfortable emotions
- The “difficult” other
- Supervision Relationships

Effects of unsolved Conflicts
… how we see, hear, feel them
- Warning signs and consequences
- A Conflict Escalation Model

Assertive Communication
… how to handle Conflict Situations
- Communication Axioms
- Non-Violent Communication
- Active Listening – Part 1

Negotiation & Mediation
… success factors
- Philosophy and attitude
- Principled Negotiation (Harvard)
- Stages and structure of the process
- The Tool: Active Listening – Part 2

Methodology

In addition to teaching the theoretical foundations, the focus is on practical application and trying out tools. This is achieved through exercises, case studies provided by the participants, role-plays, peer consultations, discussions, and group and individual work.

Specific needs are identified in advance via a questionnaire completed by the participants and incorporated into the workshop programme.

Min. 6, max. 12 participants

Impact: anytime & anywhere
Wirkung³ is an intensive training program designed to strengthen personal scientific presentation competence. Doctoral candidates learn how to present their research topics clearly, confidently and persuasively,- both in academic settings (lectures, colloquia, conferences) and in university-level and interdisciplinary exchange formats.
At the core are three dimensions of impact:
• Voice: clear tone, structured speaking and confident use of pauses
• Body language: presence, posture, eye contact and gestures – effective in front of groups and in digital settings
• Personality: authentic presence, inner confidence and managing nervousness
Through numerous practical exercises, individualized feedforward and live presentations by the participants, areas for personal improvement are identified and addressed immediately. The training creates a safe space in which each participant practices with their own research topic, receives professional feedback and gains noticeable self-confidence.
Wirkung³ is ideally suited for doctoral candidates who wish to strengthen their scientific presence, reduce stage fright and communicate their messages with impact.

Min. 6, max. 12 participants

Academic writing can be challenging, particularly when you are trying to make progress alongside research, teaching, and everything else. This eight-week course gives you the structure, practical tools, and feedback to focus on your writing and keep moving forward.
We meet online each week for a 90-minute live session with practical input, discussion, exercises, peer review, and plenty of time for questions. Between sessions, short video modules and a guided workbook give you the chance to explore additional topics and work
at your own pace.
A key focus throughout the course is your own writing. You will apply what we discuss directly to your text and receive practical feedback on how to make your writing clearer, more readable, and more effective.
We finish with a short online writing retreat: protected time to write, put what you have learned into practice, and make real progress on your own work.

The course includes:
• 8 live Zoom sessions
• 8 short video modules
• A comprehensive workbook with additional material and self-paced exercises
• Feedback on your own writing
• A wrap-up writing retreat

more information can be found here

max. 15 participants