Mediation & Conflict Resolution for HR Professionals: Reducing High-Conflict Disputes
Speaker: Terrie McCants, Andrews & Andrews
Mediation has come a long way over the past several decades and is now a common component in most dispute systems for organizations. However, mediating with the increasing percentage of high-conflict people requires a paradigm shift from the traditional mediation methods. This presentation will explore a new method for those who want to have better control of the process in high-conflict cases.
In this Session, you will learn: (1) Understand the thinking and behavior of parties with high-conflict personalities; (2) Identify new skills and tasks for high-conflict mediation; and, (3) Demonstrate a new method in a work-place role play.
About the Speaker:
Terrie R. McCants created the Undergraduate and Graduate Certificates in Conflict Resolution, and co-created the Conflict Analysis and Trauma Studies Minor at Kansas State University, where she served as a faculty member and Program Director for many years.
After retiring from Kansas State University in 2018, she accepted the position of Executive Director for the President's Office at the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) in Kabul. In that role she provided a broad range of support, guidance, and policy advice to department management and senior leadership regarding aspects of governance, corporate communications, and support in ensuring the University’s adherence to applicable policies, procedures, applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines and policies.
Upon returning home to Manhattan in 2020, she resumed offering mediation services as a state-approved mediator through Andrews & Associates, has continued her work with AUAF as the Executive Administrator of the Board of Trustees, and began teaching again as an adjunct in conflict resolution at Kansas State University and Mercer University.
McCants served as President of the Board of Directors for Heartland Mediators’ Association (a multi-state mediation association), and is a current member on the Kansas State Supreme Court’s Advisory Council on Dispute Resolution.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and is a state-approved mediator.
She is the recipient of:
- Susan M. Scott Community Leadership Award, Staley School of Leadership Studies, Kansas State University (2021)
- Heartland Mediators Association’s Acorn Award (2017)
- K-State’s International Educator of the Year (2016)
- University Professional & Continuing Education Association’s Award for Outstanding Program: Credit (2016)
- Dean Barbara S. Stowe Endowed Faculty Development Fund Award (2013)
- K-State’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching (2011)
- University Professional & Continuing Education Association’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2011)
- K-State’s College of Human Ecology’s Myers-Alford Teach Award for Outstanding Graduate and Undergraduate Teaching (2010
