Article Highlights Role of Ombuds in Building Capacity for Constructive Conflict

An article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review argues that organizations must move beyond compliance-driven grievance systems to build real capacity for constructive conflict. In “Building Organizational Capacity for Constructive Conflict,” Jenny Yang and Rachel Godsil contend that while formal processes are necessary, they are often reactive and adversarial, discouraging early voice and eroding trust. Disagreement, they suggest, can be a source of learning and performance if organizations create safe, credible avenues for raising concerns. 

The authors highlight complementary mechanisms such as advisory councils, Ombuds offices, mediation and restorative practices, and systems that track fairness concerns. Together, these approaches enable earlier issue-spotting, preserve relationships, and strengthen accountability, positioning conflict navigation not as risk management alone, but as a core leadership competency. (SSIR.)