Tools of the Conflict-Capable ENGO Leader (Fall 2026)
Dates: Thursdays, October 1, 8, 15, 1-2:30 PM ET
Cost: $75pp for the series or $125 for two from the same organization
Zoom Meeting with cameras and audio enabled
Maximum 80 registrants.
All registrants will be provided with a link to the recording and the slides following the session. The recording will be available for 60 days.
Every team has moments like these: the disagreement that’s about to go sideways, the silence after a hard piece of feedback, the conversation about someone instead of with them. How a leader handles these moments will decide what happens next, whether it spirals into resentment and shutdown, or becomes a positive turning point.
Most leaders are never taught what to do in these moments. They're left to rely on instinct, which often means avoiding the friction or reacting in ways that make it worse.
This series changes that. Led by Matt McKenna, a qualified mediator who works with leaders on exactly these moments. You'll learn practical, repeatable tools to lead with confidence and navigate these high-stakes moments.
Each session blends insight with hands-on practice, so you’re ready when it really matters.
Session 1: Getting Tough Feedback Right
Poorly delivered feedback can be derailing and demotivating. It’s crucial to give constructive feedback, but leaders often feel they must choose between holding back or pushing too hard.
In this session you’ll learn:
- A model that reveals a hidden dynamic of feedback
- A memorable tool that consistently generates effective feedback
- A four-move sequence to follow feedback that fosters real behaviour change
Session 2: Defusing Interpersonal Drama
A team member comes to you upset and wants to vent about another team member. You’ve been there. It’s a loaded moment you need to handle skillfully.
In this session, you’ll learn:
- How to leverage insights from behavioural science to de-escalate the interaction
- A model that shows what’s really happening, and what choices you have in this moment
- How to support the person in front of you without joining their “side” or amplifying the drama
Session 3: Taming Persistent Tensions
Some issues aren’t problems to solve; they’re tensions to manage. Examples include the tension between work AND home, structure AND flexibility, today AND tomorrow. Your team needs both sides of a key tension to thrive and advance your shared mission.
In this session, you’ll learn:
- How to recognize and name the tension at play
- A tool that identifies how effectively your team is managing that tension- How to lead passionate people through polarization with care
Who It’s For
This series is designed for individuals with experience leading people or projects who want practical tools and skills for managing conflict and tension effectively. This series is not for leaders with extensive training or background in conflict resolution.
Our Presenter:
Matt McKenna helps people reconnect when it matters most, whether it’s teams in conflict or two leaders who’ve stopped speaking. A Qualified Mediator and seasoned facilitator, Matt’s path began on stage as a touring musician. Today, he brings the same focus on harmony and connection to boardrooms and mission-driven teams. He’s worked with high-purpose organizations of all kinds, from NFPs and B-Corps to faith communities and Ontario’s Provincial COVID-19 Response Team. Matt’s work helps teams rebuild trust, strengthen relationships, and navigate conflict with clarity so they can move forward together.