Birds

Unlock the secret to effective conflict management

Conflict is inevitable, but responding to it effectively is not - discover your dominant conflict style and learn how to leverage it for success with the Conflict is for the Birds Assessment, a powerful tool that will help you navigate conflict with confidence and achieve your goals.

  • "Impressive! Practical! With The Birds I’ve learned a lot about myself and discovered that I can deal with conflict without getting overwhelmed."

  • “A refreshing and entertaining approach that makes a difficult topic easier to talk about.”

  • "It finally all made sense when I found out what my style was. I can now use this information to my benefit in helping me get through difficult moments."

What is your Conflict Style?

Meet the Birds

  • The Ostrich

    Avoids Conflict

    “Conflict, what conflict?”

  • The Woodpecker

    Wants to win

    “Do it my way”

  • Parakeet

    Wants to please others

    “Whatever you say”

  • The Owl

    Wants to understand

    “Let’s talk it out”

  • The Hummingbird

    Looks for compromise

    “I’ll give a little if you will”

Did you know there’s a book?

Born out of the need to help clients manage conflict in the workplace, Nabil and Gayle Oudeh wrote a highly popular book: “Conflict is for the Birds: Understanding Your Conflict Management Style” (ISBN 0-9731646-2-X).

Conflict is for the Birds explores the positive potential of conflict – potential that derives from making appropriate choices in how we respond to conflict. There are five distinct conflict management styles – the Woodpecker, the Parakeet, the Ostrich, the Owl and the Hummingbird. They all have their advantages but they also have challenges. Understanding what type of approach to use in a conflict situation is the important first step in resolving our differences.

Since it’s publication Conflict is for the Birds has become a very popular assessment and training program of CCR International.

Meet the Creators

  • Nabil Oudeh

    Nabil Oudeh is President and Founder of Centre for Conflict Resolution International Ltd (CCR International). He has over 30 years of experience in the Conflict Resolution field. He holds a Masters Degree in Peace Studies / Conflict Resolution, is a Chartered Mediator through the ADR Institute of Canada, an Honoured Fellow with the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution, and Professional Speaker on Alternative Dispute Resolution around the globe.

    Nabil is a sought after speaker as a leading authority on mediation, appropriate responses to conflict and organizational conflict issues. As well, his extensive research and understanding of conflict resolution initiatives has brought him recognition as an effective advocate of international and cross-cultural conflict resolution processes.

  • Gayle Wiebe Oudeh

    Gayle Wiebe Oudeh has over 20 years experience in organizational leadership and is a seasoned coach, trainer, and mediator. Gayle utilizes her expertise in interpersonal dynamics, team development, leadership development and organizational systems in her work with Executives, Managers, and teams as they deal with difficult issues, people and choices in the workplace. Gayle specializes in coaching individuals in high-intensity situations, providing insight and feedback to individuals in times of stress, change and conflict. Her coaching programs focus on the current needs of the client as well as their long-term objectives, allowing for in-depth exploration and insight as well as realistic goal setting and accountability.