Foundations of Conflict
Foundation Mediation Training | Module 1
TRAINERS
Marcus Lim
Conflict Management Specialist & Adjunct Professor, National University of Singapore
Practice Area
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Training Level
Foundation
SILE Public CPD Points
TBC
Date
Thu, 30 July 2026
Time
9am to 12pm
Venue / Format
PracticeForte Resolution Space /
In-person
Registration Fee
SGD S$300
(max. 24 seats)
SGD S$255 early bird rate (register before 30 June 2026)
SGD S$240 for PracticeForte Affiliates only
Conflicts are woven into the fabric of every professional and personal relationship. Before we can resolve disputes, we must first understand what fuels them.
About This Workshop:
This introductory half-day module grounds participants in the essential psychology and theory of conflict—exploring what conflict is, why it arises, and how different people instinctively respond to it.
Through the lens of established conflict resolution models, participants will examine the critical distinction between positions and interests—a foundational insight that underpins effective mediation and negotiation. An individual conflict management assessment, will help participants identify their own conflict style, building the self-awareness that is essential for any mediator, lawyers, and dispute resolution professionals.
Led by Marcus Lim, this session combines academic rigour with practical insight, setting the stage for the full Foundation Mediation Training programme.
What You’ll Learn:
- Define Conflict: Understand the nature, sources, and dynamics of conflict in professional and interpersonal contexts
- Explore Conflict Models: Survey key frameworks for understanding conflict escalation, de-escalation, and resolution
- Distinguish Positions from Interests: Grasp the critical difference between what parties say they want and what they need—the cornerstone of interest-based mediation
- Know Your Conflict Style: Complete an individual conflict management assessment to identify your default responses under pressure
- Build Self-Awareness: Reflect on how your conflict style shapes your effectiveness as a mediator, lawyer or dispute resolution professional
- Connect Theory to Practice: Begin applying conflict theory to real-world professional scenarios through guided discussion
Who Should Attend:
- Legal professionals seeking foundational training in mediation and dispute resolution
- Human resource practitioners and people managers
- Corporate leaders and executives involved in workplace or commercial disputes
- Educators, counsellors, and social workers
- Community leaders and those in facilitation roles
- Anyone seeking to develop professional skills in conflict management and dispute resolution
Meet Your Trainer:
Marcus Lim is a legal professional and conflict management specialist with over a decade of experience applying the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) and interest-based negotiation methods. A former CEO of the Singapore International Mediation Institute, Marcus brings both academic depth and real-world insight to the table. He regularly trains civil servants at the Civil Service College of Singapore and has delivered workshops for CMS Hong Kong and Assas International. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor with the National University of Singapore teaching Negotiation and Mediation.
Seats are limited!
Equip yourself with the foundational knowledge and self-awareness that every effective mediator needs. This module is available as a standalone workshop or as part of the full Foundation Mediation Training programme. Join us on 30 July 2026 and begin your mediation journey.
