Heidelberg hosts conflict and leadership workshop

TIFFIN — Heidelberg University welcomed Jen Fry to campus, an internationally recognized speaker, educator and conflict literacy expert, as part of a two-day speaker series in regards to conflict and leadership. Fry, who has ties to Tiffin after earning a master's degree at Tiffin University and serving as a graduate assistant, returned to the area to lead a small series of workshops for students, faculty, and coaches. Her visit was supported through a Health Resources and Services Administration grant received by the Heidelberg's Master of Arts in Counseling program. In her final session, attended by student-athletes and student leadership, Fry described her approach as "relentless, but consistent." "I don't tell people to make big leaps, but rather to take bunny hops– because they create distance," said Fry. One student who expressed feeling frustrated as a result of not getting into the classes they had wanted to, Fry recommended to not give up and to remain persistent. Throughout the workshop, students were invited to participate in so-called "Pair and Shares," a tool used to break down misconceptions about conflict, according to Fry. Another point that Fry touched on was that as a leader, you are bound to ruffle feathers. "It is a part of the job," she said. She continued, saying part of fixing the problem is acknowledging that it's there. When she is not speaking, she works with her organization, JenFryTalks, to equip participants with practical skills to engage in conflict in productive, thoughtful, and constructive ways.