Change Pain to Gain: The Secrets of Turning Conflict into Opportunity

Patricia McGinnis’ work is about disagreements. Addressing conflict, rather than avoiding it, has always been her approach to interpersonal relationships. McGinnis earned an education degree from the University of Minnesota and has many years of teaching experience. In her position as coordinator of the Minnesota Department of Education Special Education Alternative Dispute Resolution Services, she prepares parents and educators to resolve their conflicts over the education of students. Through Turning Point-Training, she and her colleague teach communication, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills across the country for administrators, work colleagues, and special education leaders. McGinnis is a group facilitator, a coach for professionals who facilitate difficult meetings, and has taught Conflict Management for Administrators at the university level. She is a qualified neutral on the Minnesota Supreme Court Rule 114 Roster and mediates divorce and post-divorce conflict.