Conflict Intelligence Lab

A science-based leadership journey to transform how you think, feel, and act in conflict.

Why This, Why Now.

We are currently in an era defined by extraordinary conflict and polarization—one in which leaders are confronted with an array of complex disputes that test their abilities to steer their organizations through turmoil.

A recent report by the Society for Human Resource Management revealed that 71% of employees experience controversial, polarizing conflicts on the job, with 39% facing them weekly. Today, America’s 161 million workers collectively experience 223 million acts of incivility per day, with 45% of them believing this will worsen, with 25% saying they may leave their jobs because of these encounters. With employee engagement at a historic low, bitter conflict interactions are estimated to cost businesses over $2 billion per day from associated losses in productivity, turnover and absenteeism. Currently, 62% of executives predict a “stormy or turbulent” outlook over the next 10 years, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Risks Report. Today, 84% of employers believe discussions about politics will continue to degrade employee engagement, with 79% predicting they will adversely affect productivity

That’s where the Conflict Intelligence Lab comes in.

What is the Conflict Intelligence Lab?

The Conflict Intelligence Lab is not traditional leadership training. It’s a science-based, AI-enhanced, highly experiential journey designed to build your Conflict Intelligence—your ability to work with, rather than against, conflict.

Developed at Columbia University’s Morton Deutsch International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution (MD-ICCCR), the CIQ Lab blends cutting-edge research with practical tools, assessments, and coaching to help you lead with clarity and courage.

Modules

Overview

Course Structure and Highlights

🧠 3-hour live online sessions

📊 Assessments and feedback reports

🤖 AI-powered coaching

🧩 Real-world conflict simulations

📱 Just-in-time mobile apps

📝 Journaling & peer learning

📖 Evidence-based short articles

CIQ Certificates

Science Behind the Lab

In a recent series of studies of U.S. employees, participants completed a survey evaluating their perceptions of their managers' Conflict-Intelligent Leadership. They were also asked about their own experiences of psychological safety at work—an indicator closely linked to team effectiveness and innovation. The results revealed a strong connection between employees' perceptions of their leaders' CIQ and the presence of a work climate characterized by trust, openness, respect, collaboration and a willingness to take risks.

Leaders with higher levels of CIQ:

  • Resolve disputes more effectively

  • Foster environments where employees feel a greater sense of satisfaction, empowerment, and well-being

  • Promote cultures that are more innovative and collaborative

  • Are more capable of making sound decisions even in the most complex, turbulent situations.

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