Conflict is part of life – but how we guide people through it can change everything. I created the Conflict Resolution Thumball™ as a tool to help individuals slow down, reflect, and move from reaction to understanding. Whether I’m working with youth in schools, adults in workplace settings, or groups in recovery, I’ve found that structured, non-threatening prompts can open the door to honest and productive conversations.
The questions on this Thumball were carefully chosen to shift the focus away from blame and toward insight. With 32 prompts, it allows participants to explore their role in the conflict, express their emotions, and consider what resolution could look like. It brings structure to mediation while still giving people the space to be heard – and when used with intention, it helps build skills like empathy, active listening, and personal accountability.
To use the Conflict Resolution Thumball™, gather participants in a small group or mediation circle. Begin by introducing the purpose of the activity: to reflect on a conflict and explore ways to move forward constructively. Toss the Thumball gently to someone in the group. When they catch it, they read the question under their thumb aloud and respond honestly in the context of the conflict they’re experiencing or mediating.
Encourage others in the group to listen without interrupting. After each response, you can invite others to share a reaction, or simply keep the ball moving to the next person. Some questions will challenge participants to think about their own actions or attitudes; others will prompt them to consider how to repair harm or rebuild trust. The facilitator’s role is to guide the discussion calmly and keep the tone solution-focused.
This tool can also be used one-on-one with a student, client, or colleague. Pick a few questions to explore together, or let the participant toss the ball to themselves. For younger users or more intense conflicts, you might select and rephrase questions ahead of time to match the setting. However you use it, the Conflict Resolution Thumball™ helps people get unstuck – and gives them tools to approach future conflicts with more awareness and skill.
Pick one up today: https://www.trainingwheelsgear.com/collections/therapeutic-tools/products/conflict-resolution-thumball
~Michelle Cummings
Founder / Facilitator / Big Wheel of Training Wheels
