Skip to content

Day 1: Powerskills Intro + Conflict Resolution

Lesson Overview
Time 50 minutes
Objectives Introduce Powerskills as transferable career skills; complete the H&L Powerskills "Conflict Resolution" module; resolve three workplace conflicts using listen / find common ground / calm words
TEKS d(4)(B)
Deliverable Completed Conflict Resolution chart (3 conflicts × 3 columns) + smoothie ad sketch
Materials Chromebooks, H&L Powerskills Workbook (pp. 19-21), printed Conflict Resolution worksheet, paper for ad sketch, projector

Warm-Up (5 min)

WARM-UP: Think of the best communicator you know, a teacher, family member, or friend. What makes them good at communicating?

Take 3-4 responses. Bridge: communication is a SKILL, not a personality trait. Today the class starts a week of practicing the skills the best communicators have learned.

Activity 1: Powerskills Introduction (8 min)

Source: H&L Powerskills Workbook. Introduction (pp. 1-2)

Introduce the concept: for the past 4 weeks, students explored specific careers (Manufacturing, IT, Law, Health Science). But there is something that connects ALL of these careers: soft skills. Hats & Ladders calls them Powerskills.

The H&L Powerskills workbook covers 12 skills: Adaptability, Conflict Resolution, Giving and Receiving Feedback, Written Communication, Attention to Detail, Advocacy, Learning Agility, Time Management, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Self-Awareness.

This week focuses on FOUR communication-related modules: Conflict Resolution, Feedback, Written Communication, and Advocacy. Each module is from the H&L workbook + a healthcare role-play to put the skill in context.

Facilitation Tip

Some students dismiss soft skills as "stuff teachers say." Reframe: "Employers consistently report that they fire people for soft skill problems, NOT technical skill problems. The plumber who shows up late and argues with customers loses business. The plumber who is on time and listens gets the next job." Make the stakes real.

Activity 2: Conflict Resolution Setup (5 min)

Source: H&L Powerskills Workbook, pp. 19-20, "Conflict Resolution"

Read the workbook intro aloud: "Disagreements are normal, especially when you're working with a group. The important part isn't whether you argue, but how you handle it. Conflict resolution means working through disagreements in a way that helps everyone feel heard and keeps the project moving forward."

Project the workbook's Three Quick Tips (p. 19):

  1. Listen first. Make sure everyone has a chance to explain their idea.
  2. Find common ground. Look for ways to combine ideas or meet in the middle.
  3. Use calm, clear words. Avoid blaming and focus on solving the problem.

Activity 3: Smoothie Company Conflict (25 min)

Source: H&L Powerskills Workbook, pp. 19-20, Activity (Smoothie Company Scenario)

Read the workbook scenario aloud: "You work at a smoothie company that's about to launch a brand-new flavor: a refreshing blend of strawberry, mango, pineapple, and a splash of coconut milk. It's tasty, colorful, and perfect for summer, but your team can't agree on some key decisions."

Form student groups of 3-4. Each group works through the 3 conflicts from the workbook (p. 19):

  • The Name Game: One teammate wants Tropical Thunder, another wants Sunshine Splash, another wants Fruit Burst
  • Launch Date Debate: One wants to launch immediately, another says wait until summer, a third is unsure
  • Marketing Mayhem: Posters, slogans, video, but the team can't agree on who does what

Groups fill out the workbook chart (p. 20):

The Conflict Why It Matters How We Can Solve It
Name
Launch Date
Marketing

Each group must use the 3 quick tips to actually resolve each conflict, not just write "we'll vote" but actually find a creative solution.

After resolving the conflicts, each group sketches a quick smoothie ad (workbook Step 3, p. 20) showing the chosen name and launch strategy.

Facilitation Tip

Watch for groups that "resolve" by just letting one person win. Push back: "Did everyone feel heard? Did you actually combine ideas?" Conflict resolution is about integration, not domination. Pressure valve: if groups are still working through the first two conflicts at the 15-minute mark, have them document solutions for Name and Launch Date only and make the smoothie ad sketch an at-home or Extension task. The chart is the essential deliverable.

Activity 4: Class Discussion (5 min)

Source: H&L Powerskills Workbook, p. 21, Class Discussion

Lead a quick discussion using the workbook prompts:

  1. "Why is it important to solve conflicts respectfully when working on a team?"
  2. "What conflict skill did your group use the most during this activity?"
  3. "What are examples of conflicts that might happen in a workplace?"

For question 3, push students to name healthcare-specific conflicts: nurse vs. doctor disagreement, patient vs. family wishes, two coders disagreeing on the right ICD-10 code.

DOK 3: What conclusions can you draw about why conflict resolution is more important in healthcare than in many other careers?

Exit Ticket (2 min)

EXIT TICKET (Decision Tree / Branching Prompt) · Printable PDF:

My workplace role: new CNA at a DFW hospital

Conflict: My shift partner keeps taking long breaks and leaving me with all the patient rooms. I am exhausted and starting to miss details.

Step 1: Which of the 3 H&L quick tips (listen first / find common ground / use calm clear words) do I use FIRST, and WHY?

My tip: _____. Why first: _____________

Step 2: Branch on my partner's response —

IF my partner apologizes and wants to fix it, what do I do next? _____________

IF my partner gets defensive, what do I do next? _____________

(d(4)(B))

Differentiation

  • Support: Pre-fill the conflict chart with one row (Name) modeled. Provide sentence stems: "I would resolve this conflict by _____."
  • Extension: Students invent a 4TH conflict for the smoothie company and resolve it using the 3 quick tips. They write a 2-sentence summary.
  • ELL: Bilingual conflict chart with Spanish column headers. Pre-teach: Conflict = Conflicto, Listen = Escuchar, Common Ground = Terreno Común, Solve = Resolver.