Resources
De-escalation Techniques in the Workplace
Violence has increased in America, and people’s tempers may flare even in routine interactions. Learn how frontline staff and managers can bring down the heat in difficult conversations and be prepared if an interaction does escalate.
What Nonprofits Need to Know About Conflict De-Escalation
Imagine you’re the director of client services at a nonprofit that serves unhoused people. You hold an open house to educate the public about your work and the challenges unhoused people face. A community member aggressively and repeatedly questions your executive director. She politely thanks the community member for his feedback and invites other attendees … Continued
How to De-Escalate Conflict
Violence has increased in America, and people’s tempers may flare even in routine interactions. Here are some strategies nonprofit employees can use to assess the level of conflict in a situation, bring down the heat in difficult conversations, and respond if an action does escalate. Assess: How Escalated Is the Conflict? Observe the conflict from a … Continued
How to Stay Calm in Tough Situations
We’ve all faced challenging situations at work. Sometimes we can step away to pause and collect ourselves, but sometimes conflict surfaces in the middle of a tense meeting or a challenging interaction with a client. Here are some things you can do in mere seconds to stay calm during a difficult interaction at your nonprofit. … Continued
How to Manage Across Generations
By Rachel Sams The conflicts began shortly after a staffing change at a former job. Suddenly, I was at odds with someone I’d thought I had a good working relationship with. She frequently checked in on my progress on tasks or pointed out places where she thought I’d skirted a rule. If you don’t trust … Continued
Breaking The Silence: Navigating Difficult Topics in the Workplace
This webinar explores the risks associated with uncomfortable conversations, awkward situations, and fear in the workplace. Learn why fear and intimidation reduce motivation and engagement and how building ‘psychological safety’ is key to creating a workplace worthy of your mission. This webinar concludes with practical tips and strategies for anticipating and managing difficult circumstances and … Continued
Never Say, “Never Say Sorry.”
The Nonprofit Risk Management Center is excited to introduce a guest writer to you for today’s eNews! Delia Jones provides practical tips and a thought-provoking way of looking at the art of an apology. By Delia Jones It’s a punchline, right? Certain people can’t get through a sentence without including “sorry.” I’m half Brit, and … Continued
Contentious Conversations: Talking Politics at Work
(download The Political Risk issue of Risk Management Essentials, here.) Is civil discourse creating a toxic environment in your workplace? According to the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) Politics at Work Survey, deepening divisiveness across party lines is a catalyst for workplace conflict. This often results in lower productivity, employee alienation, poor morale, increased … Continued
Contentious Conversations: Talking Politics at Work
(download The Political Risk issue of Risk Management Essentials, here.) Is civil discourse creating a toxic environment in your workplace? According to the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) Politics at Work Survey, deepening divisiveness across party lines is a catalyst for workplace conflict. This often results in lower productivity, employee alienation, poor morale, increased … Continued
Five Low-Tech Ways to Anticipate and Manage Active Threats
It always pays to be cognizant of what is happening around you. From the risk of an avoidable accident to the dangers of a determined perpetrator, lack of focus and awareness can be devastating or deadly. This webinar explores low-tech ways to anticipate and manage the risks of active threats. Use what you learn watching … Continued
Got Growth? Managing Risk When Your Nonprofit is on the Rise
By Christy Grano and Melanie Lockwood Herman For several years our NRMC team has had the opportunity to work with a number of nonprofits that have grown rapidly from a small capable corps of nimble and idealistic pioneers to strong, sustainable organizations with functions, departments, and even signs of bureaucracy. We’re grateful for the opportunity to … Continued
Sick of Power Plays? Manage Workplace Power Plays & Revenge Risk
“Every time we experience power… we find ourselves at… a fork in the road… we can act in ways that lead us to enjoy enduring power… or we can be seduced by the self-indulgent possibilities that power occasions. Which path you take matters enormously.” – Dacher Keltner, The Power Paradox By Melanie Lockwood Herman This week … Continued
Best of Risk Management Essentials
Explore this RISK eNewsletter filled with some of our most popular issues of Risk Management Essentials (RME), our magazine published three times each year. Visit the RME archive for more issues and articles! Manage Risk with an Eye for Ethics Ethics serves as a foundation for the risk management work initiated by many NRMC clients … Continued
Why Your Workplace Needs More Sinners, Fewer Saints
Employers and employees might believe that sainthood is the path to success in the workplace, but I disagree. There are seven of the deadly ‘sins’ that our workplaces desperately need.
Risk Lessons from Soccer’s Sidelines
By Eric Henkel I spent a big chunk of time recently as a supportive sideline spectator at a soccer tournament with my kids. They play on two different teams, so there were a lot of games and not much downtime. While sidelined, it occurred to me that like the parents of competing soccer players, risk … Continued
Dueling it Out: Addressing Common Board Conflicts with Confidence
Conflict in a board meeting is often unavoidable, and it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Opposing board member viewpoints can lead to an increase in productivity, creativity, and new insights if these conflicts are managed thoughtfully. Constructive conflict in the board room is much like a fencing match: a victory is not achieved through aggression, … Continued
He Said, She Said: Managing Workplace Disputes
In a perfect world, every nonprofit employee would be content 100% of the time. Few if any nonprofits live in such a world. This webinar will explore the risks associated with discontent and offer practical suggestions for managing complaints and learning how to respond with finesse and fairness. The session will cover systematic approaches such as … Continued
Clash of the Nonprofit Titans: Managing Board and CEO Conflicts
By Emily Wilson and Melanie Lockwood Herman Passion and conflict go hand in hand. As heartfelt passion for an organization’s mission is often the selling point that entices people to look for paid and volunteer roles at a nonprofit, it is not surprising that this passion leaves few nonprofit workplaces without conflict. Fortunately for the … Continued
The Dark Side of Leadership
By Melanie Lockwood Herman and Emily Wilson Few nonprofits can thrive or even survive without strong leadership. Yet what happens when forceful leaders cross the line and become bellicose bullies or just plain bad bosses? Sadly, the nonprofit sector is not immune from the harm that destructive leaders leave in their wakes. Destructive leaders are … Continued
We Can Work It Out: Managing Workplace Disputes
By Melanie Lockwood Herman Few things are more frustrating in the workplace than feeling unheard, especially when it comes to sensitive matters such as interpersonal workplace conflicts. And according to a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, “respectful treatment of all employees at all levels” is the number one contributor to overall … Continued
Sensible Risk Resolutions for 2016
January 6, 2016 By Melanie Lockwood Herman Each year, many Americans adopt unrealistic New Year’s resolutions. My first resolution for 2016 was to stop booking business trips that require late evening departures or landings. I was a bit surprised to learn that, according to the Statistic Brain Research Institute, 75% of people who make a … Continued
Avoid World War Y
March 2, 2016 By Emily Wilson As a member of Generation Y, I am well aware of the stereotypes that we face. We were the last generation to be born before the popularization of texting, and the first to experience social media in our youth. We have a unique lens that allows us to understand … Continued
Embrace Radical Thinking to Wrestle Risk
June 3, 2015 By Melanie Lockwood Herman During a staff meeting this week I was reminded of the difficulty of seeing beyond the barrier of past experience. When a member of our team suggested a radical approach to addressing a challenge on our horizon, I immediately offered an example of a prior failed attempt at … Continued
How the Grinch Stole the Workplace
January 22, 2015 By Erin Gloeckner It’s normal to have a cranky day at work, but string together too many cranky days and you might start sounding like the Grinch. You’ve worked with a Grinch before—that employee who makes snide remarks, starts rumors, complains without end, or uses body language and other behaviors to display … Continued
Calling All Factions
By Melanie Lockwood Herman I’m fascinated by research on the human brain, an organ neuroscientist David Eagleman refers to as “three pounds of the most complex material we’ve discovered in the universe.” By luck I happened to catch Tuesday’s edition of the NPR Program “Fresh Air,” which featured an interview with Eagleman. During his interview … Continued
Grievance Procedures and Internal Dispute Resolution
Practical Tips for Resolving Internal Disputes Peaceably The following text is excerpted from Section 3 of NRMC’s book: Taking the High Road: A Guide to Effective and Legal Employment Practices for Nonprofits. Having an internal mechanism for resolving disputes is like wearing a seat belt — the internal restraint can help a nonprofit avoid harm … Continued