Tracy Wallach Organization and Leadership Consulting

The only way out of conflict is through it: it is inevitable, and often desirable in a diverse system. While conflict can lead to greater organizational creativity, it often makes people feel uncomfortable or anxious. People may try to manage their discomfort with conflict in different ways, such as: avoiding the feelings and the issues or people that seem to stir them up; confronting it head on; or trying to get rid of the people that are perceived to be causing the conflict. It is important for organizations to be able to work with difference and with the conflicts that it generates. However, when conflict occurs consistently between specific individuals or groups within an organization it is usually a symptom of a larger organizational issue. Getting rid of a “problematic” employee or group may work temporarily, but often results in conflict surfacing in another part of the system.

Tracy Wallach works with conflicting parties within an organization to uncover the underlying issues of a conflict.

Are there structural issues (e.g., role or task conflicts) that need to be clarified?
What are the parties involved “holding” on behalf of the larger system?
Is there a larger organizational conflict that needs to be explored that is being given expression by the conflicting parties?
What is happening in the larger environment? How does the organizational conflict reflect or mirror the external context?

Services

Assessment
Facilitation
Mediation
Training
Workshops and Retreats
Consultation

“What I found most useful about Tracy’s work with our group was her ability to bring out issues amongst us that we probably would not have dealt with without her help. I think that everything she covered was very helpful. Tracy listened to everyone’s comments. She gave us all the time we needed to get our thoughts together. I really appreciate her ability to help us maintain a calm and peaceful discussion, that may have gotten out of hand without her assistance.”

Tracy Wiggins, Boston Public Library

“Never having done this before, I had extensive reservations for myself and my staff. After interviews both inside and outside the system, and many questions to Tracy, I felt generally good about the process going in; better during the meeting and also after the meeting. I have appreciated her expertise and willingness to delve into tough issues.”

Elaine James, Boston Public Library

Using future search methodology, Tracy and other associates helped a region of churches resolve an important decision about their future. Having struggled for many months with an enduring conflict, the group made a decision and organized planning teams to implement their decision.

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