On May 19, the WTS DC Chapter Mentoring Program gathered for its latest workshop — Navigating Conflict — facilitated by Lindsey Robertson Lentz of Evans, Inc. Built in partnership between WTS DC's Professional Development and Mentoring Committees, the session gave mentors and mentees practical tools to recognize, prepare for, and navigate workplace conflict more effectively.

The workshop opened with a grounding question: where does conflict actually come from? Drawing on research from organizational theory, participants walked through the many sources of conflict in professional settings — from unclear goals and resource constraints to communication breakdowns, ambiguous roles, and unresolved history between colleagues. Recognizing the source, the group discovered, is the first step toward addressing it.

From there, the session turned to one of the most clarifying frameworks of the evening: understanding what you can and cannot control in conflict. Participants reflected on their own situations and practiced separating the factors within their influence — their tone, their preparation, their response — from those outside it. That distinction, simple as it sounds, shifted the energy in the room.

The underlying message threaded through every exercise: conflict is uncomfortable, but it is not unmanageable. With the right preparation, difficult conversations can be planned for, approached with intention, and resolved in ways that work for everyone involved.

"This workshop was designed to give our members real practice — not just theory," said Roxanne Feige, Chair of the Mentoring Program Committee. "Conflict shows up in every career. The earlier you build these skills, the more effectively you can advocate for yourself and others."

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