Last updated on Jul 8, 2024

Here's how you can manage conflicts between talent or performers at a live event.

Managing conflicts between talent at a live event can be as unpredictable as a stage performance itself. Imagine the lights dimming, the crowd buzzing with anticipation, and backstage, a disagreement threatens to derail the show. As a live event professional, your role includes ensuring that the show goes on, seamlessly and without a hitch. This means being prepared to handle disputes among performers with tact and efficiency. Whether it's artistic differences, personal issues, or simply the high-pressure environment that can lead to heated exchanges, having strategies in place to resolve these conflicts is crucial. Remember, it's not just about keeping the peace; it's about creating an environment where artists can collaborate and perform at their best.

1 Assess Quickly

When a conflict arises, time is of the essence. Your first step is to assess the situation quickly but thoroughly. Understand the root of the disagreement and the parties involved. Sometimes, conflicts are based on misunderstandings that can be resolved with clear communication. Other times, they may be more deep-seated and require a nuanced approach. Listen to each party's perspective without bias, and determine if the issue is personal or professional. This initial assessment will guide your approach to de-escalating the situation and finding a resolution that allows the event to proceed smoothly.

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Duchess R. Victoria

Executive Producer / VC @ Steel Wolf Capital + BIZStars World TV MAVERICKS & MONEY
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1= To get immediate traction on most issues, get research and then delegate to your team member with the best assets first. 2 You can come in at a later stage if necessary to achieve the goal 3 Use your time wisely. If the issue remains unresolved after multiple attempts at developing cooperative solutions? Gauge whether additional effort and your positive persistence is justified. There is always either a better time to revisit or - even - another deal or project to put your energies into. Winning is best when both parties benefit long term!

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JOEL BROS

Auteur-compositeur chez Joël | Traducteur-interprète
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Il est question de conflit entre artistes ou talents, soit des personnes au ´´moi´´ développé. Il s´agit d´interviewer chaque personne individuellement et écouter ce qu´ils veulent déclarer. Puis réconforter la personne et ´´panser´´ son ´´moi´´ blessé puis s´ils en sont d´accord organiser une réunion commune. S´ils restent sur leurs positions conserver la communication avec chacun.e. pour ne pas éclabousser l´entreprise avec le conflit et tirer le meilleur de chacun individuellement.

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Sanay Singh Rajawat

Machine Learning Engineer & AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner | Transforming Data into Actionable Insights
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When conflict hits, swift action is crucial. First, assess the situation thoroughly to understand the root cause and involved parties. Often, conflicts stem from misunderstandings that clear communication can resolve. Other times, they require a more nuanced approach. Listen to each side impartially, and determine if the issue is personal or professional. From my experience, this initial assessment is vital. It guides your strategy for de-escalation and resolution, ensuring the event proceeds smoothly. Handling conflicts with this clarity and calm can turn potential chaos into an opportunity for improved teamwork.

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2 Stay Neutral

Remaining neutral is key when managing conflicts. Your role is to mediate, not to take sides. By maintaining impartiality, you create a safe space for each party to express their concerns. Acknowledge the emotions involved without letting them dictate the conversation. It's important to validate the feelings of the performers while steering them towards a solution-focused discussion. This balance of empathy and objectivity is essential in preventing the conflict from escalating.

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Sanay Singh Rajawat

Machine Learning Engineer & AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner | Transforming Data into Actionable Insights
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Staying neutral is crucial in conflict management. As a mediator, your job is to stay impartial, giving everyone a fair chance to voice their concerns. By creating a safe space, you allow emotions to be acknowledged without letting them hijack the conversation. From my experience, validating feelings while guiding towards solutions strikes the perfect balance of empathy and objectivity. This approach prevents conflicts from escalating and fosters a cooperative atmosphere, essential for resolving issues effectively and maintaining harmony.

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3 Facilitate Dialogue

Encourage open dialogue between the conflicting parties. Facilitating a conversation where each person can speak and feel heard is often the first step towards resolution. Ensure that this dialogue happens in a private setting to avoid any additional stress or embarrassment. It's crucial to set ground rules for respectful communication and to intervene if the discussion becomes unproductive. Sometimes, simply providing a platform for airing grievances can defuse tension and lead to a compromise.

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Andrew Roby - Event Planner

Saving Your Event from being a Fyre Festival | Building Creative Events With Your Audience In Mind | Posts About The Process
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I think the more we have conversations leading up to an event, the better. This way everyone is clear about what they are doing adn when. When you have production calls, it allows you to iron out any issues and avoid them the day of the event. All of this should be documented and in contracts especially when dealing with a performer.

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4 Offer Solutions

After listening to all sides, it's time to offer solutions. These should be fair and aim to meet the needs of both parties as much as possible. When suggesting compromises, be creative and consider the individual talents and contributions of each performer. It might involve adjusting schedules, reassigning responsibilities, or modifying performance aspects to accommodate concerns. The goal is to reach an agreement that allows the event to continue and respects the artistic integrity of the performers.

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5 Follow Up

Following up after the resolution is crucial in ensuring that the agreement is honored and that relations between the parties improve. Check in with the performers to see if they are satisfied with the outcome and if there are any lingering issues that need to be addressed. This not only shows that you take their well-being seriously but also helps to prevent future conflicts. A follow-up can also provide an opportunity for feedback on how the situation was handled and what could be improved for future events.

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6 Prevent Future

Preventing future conflicts is just as important as resolving current ones. Reflect on the incident to identify any underlying issues that could lead to further disputes. Implementing changes in communication protocols, rehearsal processes, or even in the way feedback is given can help minimize tensions. Educating performers on conflict resolution techniques and promoting a collaborative culture backstage can also reduce the likelihood of future disagreements. By learning from each incident, you can help foster a more harmonious environment for all involved.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can manage conflicts between talent or performers at a live event.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Quickly

2 Stay Neutral

3 Facilitate Dialogue

4 Offer Solutions

5 Follow Up

6 Prevent Future

7 Here’s what else to consider

Live Events

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Here's how you can manage conflicts between talent or performers at a live event.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Quickly

2 Stay Neutral

3 Facilitate Dialogue

4 Offer Solutions

5 Follow Up

6 Prevent Future

7 Here’s what else to consider

Live Events

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