ENGAGING WITH COLLABORATIVE CONFLICT 
Pathways to Open & Collaborative Communication 

​Model: 

State what you value + Describe what you observed + Offer an invitation to connect = Engage in conversation  

Seeking Accountability from another:

• State what you value: “I really appreciate our collaboration on this project so far.” 
• Describe what you observed: “Yesterday, I heard you interrupt me, and I felt it shut down my idea.”
• If you would like to provide emotional context: “The story that I am telling myself is…”
• Offer an invitation to connect: “Would you be open to talking about what happened there?”
• Engage in conversation.
• Remember to PAUSE and listen for a response.

Offering Accountability for yourself: 

• State what you value: “I really want to honor the norms we established together.”
• Describe what you observed: “I realize that I just spoke for you.”
• Offer an invitation to connect: “Are you open to me backing up and trying it again?”
• Engage in conversation.
• Remember to PAUSE and listen for a response.