Example Conflict Intervention Plan

1. Separate the conflicting parties.
2. Separate the witnesses.
3. Speak to the first conflicting individual.
4. Speak to the second conflicting individual.
5. Speak to the witnesses.
6. Recreate the incident in your head.
7. Take appropriate action.

SEPARATE THE CONFLICTING PARTIES
Separating the conflicting parties is the key to defusing any conflict. The sooner they’re no longer able to argue with each other, the better.

SEPARATE THE WITNESSES

Separating the witnesses is the key to maintaining the integrity of their stories. If you let them talk among one another, they may try to form a single theory of what happened, combining what they saw. This can lead to exaggerations and unnecessary pressure placed on the witnesses.

SPEAK TO THE FIRST CONFLICTING INDIVIDUAL

You always want to address and defuse the most upset of the two individuals first. This can prevent the conflict from flaring back up. It also can prevent the start of another conflict. Find out their side of the story. Discourage name-calling, cursing, or continued aggressive behavior.

SPEAK TO THE SECOND CONFLICTING INDIVIDUAL

Generally speaking, this is usually the less angry of the two individuals. Find out their side of the story. Discourage name-calling, cursing, or continued aggressive behavior.

SPEAK TO THE WITNESSES

Find out each witness’s side of the story individually. Ask for only facts and discourage any and all speculation. Distinctly note any and all differences in witness’s stories.

RECREATE THE INCIDENT IN YOUR HEAD

After hearing the stories of the two conflicting parties, and all of the witnesses, try to recreate the incident in your head. Assume that the incident you’ve recreated in your head is true.

TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION

After determining exactly what happened, take appropriate action as you see fit.