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Description

Assertiveness Level 2: Defusing, Negotiating and Resolving Entrenched Conflict

Four days to address long-running tensions and hold your position in the toughest conversations

  • 4 days — 28 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Intermediate
  • Up to 6 participants

Saying no is no longer enough once tension becomes entrenched: repeated criticism, veiled aggression, alliances forming against a decision, a counterpart who refuses any discussion. Basic assertiveness techniques then reach their limits and the working relationship deteriorates because the underlying issue is never addressed.

This 28-hour advanced programme builds on existing assertiveness skills. Over four days it tackles entrenched conflict: reading the mechanisms that sustain it, conducting a confrontation conversation, negotiating a working agreement and following up on that agreement. The cases worked on are brought by the participants themselves.

Learning objectives

  • Analyse an entrenched conflict by separating facts, underlying interests and stated positions
  • Identify the relational mechanisms that sustain the tension
  • Conduct a confrontation conversation without damaging the working relationship
  • Negotiate a working agreement with a difficult counterpart
  • Hold your position under collective pressure
  • Organise the follow-up of an agreement once the conflict is resolved

What makes this programme different

Work focuses exclusively on real conflicts brought by participants
Each confrontation conversation is replayed until a workable outcome is reached
A conversation preparation template completed on your own situation

Programme

1Reading an entrenched conflict

From symptoms to root causes

  • Distinguishing between disagreement, tension and open conflict
  • Identifying the facts, the interests and each party's position
  • Recognising the hidden benefits of the status quo
  • Assessing how urgently intervention is required

2Breaking out of relational patterns

Criticism, manipulation and unspoken issues

  • Recognising the victim, rescuer and persecutor roles
  • Responding to vague or repeated criticism
  • Handling indirect aggression
  • Refusing escalation without withdrawing from the discussion

3Conducting the confrontation conversation

Saying what needs to be said without breaking the relationship

  • Preparing the conversation and choosing the right moment
  • Opening with facts and stating the observed impact
  • Receiving the other party's reaction
  • Formulating a precise and verifiable request

4Negotiating a way out of conflict

Seeking a workable agreement

  • Distinguishing the stated position from the real interest
  • Exploring options acceptable to both parties
  • Handling deadlocks and ultimatums
  • Formalising a working agreement

5Making it last

After the agreement

  • Setting up follow-up and review points
  • Reacting when old behaviours return
  • Managing your own emotional load after a conflict
  • Involving a third party when the situation remains blocked

Who is it for

Professionals who have already worked on assertiveness and who face recurring tensions with colleagues, clients or their management line.

Prerequisites

Having completed a level 1 assertiveness programme or already applying basic assertiveness techniques.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.