Category: News You Can Use

Have you ever been drawn into a conflict between co-workers or colleagues? Perhaps one or both people pressured you to take sides. If you felt uncomfortable doing so, because you could see valid points from both points of view, you were likely striving for impartiality.   Situations like these are difficult in life in general but even more so within the office setting when you just want people to get along, so you can get back to work.

I recently met with a staff member who had been brought into the middle of an interpersonal conflict between two of his co-workers. They work in a very small office and have a culture that allows for frequent and open communication. Since starting in his role, other staff members have gone to him with their problems, but this particular conflict has been eating up too much of his time and energy. He wants his co-workers to get along, but he can see how they both can be right and both be wrong at times during the conflict. He also has a much longer history with one of the co-workers, while the other is new to the office. He really likes both colleagues, and he believes picking sides would ruin his relationship with at least one of them. He would like to be impartial, help them resolve this conflict, maintain these relationships, and ultimately get back to work but is not sure how.

So, what does it actually mean to be impartial?

If you have ever met with our office or attended one of our training sessions, you might have heard us mention that impartiality is one of our guiding principles. For an Ombuds, impartiality is a professional standard. Since we have no stake in the outcome of a conflict, we have the luxury of distance. We can focus entirely on a fair process where everyone is treated equally. But in the daily life of a department, you often don’t have the luxury of being uninvolved. You are involved because you share an office, a project, or a lunch table with the people in conflict. When you are in it, impartiality isn’t a default setting; it’s a conscious choice.

During an office conflict, you might find yourself wondering: “Do I want to be impartial, or do I have to be?” As a peer, the choice is often about protecting your environment. You might want to stay impartial to preserve your relationships; you value both people and know that picking a side could cause lasting damage to those relationships. Other times, you have to be impartial as a matter of professional integrity; perhaps because you are an informal leader in the group or because the team’s success is based on your decisions. The key is to realize that even if you aren’t an Ombuds, you can still employ the benefits of impartiality: listening to everyone, refusing to let personal bias sway you, and keeping your focus on objective standards rather than office politics.

Bernard Mayer suggests in his book, The Conflict Paradox, “true impartiality isn’t just about staying out of it but being a balanced resource holding space for the rightness and wrongness of both parties simultaneously.” In the scenario I described earlier, it’s the ability to listen to that long-time colleague and the new hire with the same level of curiosity and not letting your history cloud your judgement. Being impartial also means prioritizing what both people truly want to accomplish in the conflict. Whether it is your job to decide who is the winner or not, you can advocate for a fair process where all the facts and feelings are on the table before a solution is identified.

How can I be impartial at work when I am brought into a conflict?

First, clarify your role early. If you are being pulled into a conflict, it is okay to set a boundary. You can say, “I value my relationship with both of you, so I’m going to stay impartial. I won’t take sides, but I am happy to help you both brainstorm how to move forward.”

Next, have a “Heart at Peace.” Before you jump in, ask yourself if you’ve already picked a side in your mind. The Arbinger Institute’s book, The Anatomy of Peace, reminds us that if we see one person as a “problem” and the other as a “victim,” we’ve already taken sides and lost our impartiality. Try to see both individuals as people with legitimate needs and fears.

Finally, focus on the mutual problem: When you feel pressured to take a side, pivot the conversation back to what everyone wants. You might say, “It sounds like you both want this project to succeed, but you have different ideas on the timeline. Let’s focus on that goal.” If you have ever been through our Difficult Situations at Work training (shameless plug) we call this concept, “Us vs. The Problem” rather than “You vs. Me.”

Being impartial isn’t about being passive; it’s about being a steady anchor in a stormy situation. By staying impartial, you aren’t just staying out of it; you’re actually creating the safe space necessary for the conflict to finally be resolved.

Michael Scott
Associate Ombuds
Phone:  864-656-6353
Email:  mesctt@clemson.edu
Address:  135 Old Greenville Hwy, Ste. 203 (Next to Esso!)

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What is the Ombuds Office?

The Ombuds Office is a confidential, independent, neutral, and informal space for staff to process concerns, get information, and develop options for how to move forward in a difficult situation.  I can provide education, conflict coaching, mediation, and facilitation as well as referrals to other resources across Clemson.  If you are unsure how to move forward in any way, I can help you work through it.

Save the date for upcoming Fall 2026 trainings offered by the Ombuds Office:

Don’t Tough It Out:  Difficult Situations at Work

Friday, Sept. 11 from 9:00 to 12:00

In-person at University Facilities Center, sign up here:  https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/cf15179e/sessions/7126/enroll

Navigating Intergenerational Workplaces

Friday, Sept. 25 from 9:00 to 11:30

Virtually only, sign up here:  https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/8c562aa0/sessions/7128/enroll

Giving Effective Feedback

Wed., Oct. 14 from 9:00 to 10:30

Virtually only, sign up here:  https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/3bc50439/sessions/7129/enroll

Emotional Intelligence at Work

Friday, Oct. 30 from 9:00 to 11:00

In-person at University Facilities Center, sign up here: https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/1be18cf1/sessions/7130/enroll

Combating Burnout and Cultivating Resilience

Friday, Nov. 6 from 9:00 to 11:00

Virtually only, sign up here:  https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/86042925/sessions/7132/enroll

After a very successful winter event, the 2026 Entrepreneurship 101 Bootcamp for Clemson Faculty and Staff is returning this summer! 

A combination of our staple summer courses, the Founders Academy for Faculty and the Side Hustle Course for Staff, this intensive workshop will teach you the fundamentals of entrepreneurship in one four-hour session! 

Join us on Friday, June 5th, starting at 1:00 pm at the Brook T. Smith Launchpad, for a course of empowering learning, insightful discussions, skill enhancement, and personal growth. The session will feature the following modules: Refining your idea; Identifying customers & creating value; Conducting your competitor analysis; Making sure you make money and, Understanding legal issues. A certificate of completion will be issued to all attendees.

Register by May 29 using this link! This course is free, but seats will fill up fast!
For questions or more information contact Maggie Guerra Ayala (magdag@clemson.edu).

Don’t leave your benefits on the table! Invest in yourself today. ETAP can help you earn your MBA while you work and it’s not too late to pursue your MBA in 2026! Contact admissions today to discuss your options.

Set up a time to speak with Admissions

Sign up for our virtual information session

APPLY NOW using this link

Starting on March 2, Andy’s spring hours begin! With the warm weather on its way we’re switching to our spring hours so you can spend even more time outdoors. Visit us Monday to Friday from noon to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Whether you’re gearing up for a camping trip, grabbing a paddleboard, or trying something
new, we’ve got the equipment to help you make the most of the season.

And don’t forget, the beach remains open from sunrise to sunset, offering the perfect
backdrop for early morning peace or golden-hour adventures.

Come explore, unwind, and enjoy the fresh spring air with us at Andy’s!

Andy Quattlebaum Outdoor Education Center (Andy’s) is in the Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Complex beside the lake. Rentals require a membership. Hanging out on the beach does not!

The SC Botanical Garden’s spring plant sale is April 10 – 11.
Find more information here: https://www.clemson.edu/scbg/visit/events/plant-sale.html

Summer camps for children 6-11 years old begin in June.
Mountains to Sea Camp, June 1-5: https://events.clemson.edu/event/22953-mountains-to-sea-camp

Garden Creativity Camp, June 15-19: https://events.clemson.edu/event/22954-garden-creativity-camp

Creature Power Camp, June 22-26: https://events.clemson.edu/event/22954-garden-creativity-camp

Great Green Adventure Camp, July 6-10: https://events.clemson.edu/event/22956-great-green-adventure-camp

Time Traveler’s Camp, July 13-17: https://events.clemson.edu/event/22957-time-travelers-camp

Garden Discovery Camp, July 27-31: https://events.clemson.edu/event/22957-time-travelers-camp

Meet Lt Col Kelley Gonzales, USAF (Ret.)

Kelley is currently the Interim Director of Export Control and Research Security. She was awarded the Research Division’s Special Achievement Award, highlighting her work surrounding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Notably, Kelley also earned the Certified CMMC Professional (CCP) credential. At the time of this recognition, the credential was held by fewer than 5 people across all U.S. higher education institutions.  

Can you tell us about your role here at Clemson?  

I joined Clemson’s Division of Research to help build and strengthen the University’s approach to research security and export control at a time when federal expectations were evolving rapidly. I started as Research Information Security Manager, working closely with faculty, research administrators, and IT partners to establish Clemson’s first comprehensive framework for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in research. I later served as Associate Director and now as Interim Director of Export Control and Research Security, where I provide strategic leadership and senior advisory support across research security, export control, and classified research governance. Throughout these roles, my focus has been on translating complex regulatory requirements into practical, scalable processes that protect the institution while enabling Clemson’s research mission to thrive. 

What is something fun we might not know about you?  

I love playing free, tournament-style poker. It’s a game full of strategy and never gets old for me.  Before coming to Clemson, I played well enough in a free poker league to receive an invitation to the annual national championship, where I placed 12^th out of 45 after only about a year and a half of playing. That was a really rewarding experience. 

What brought you to Clemson?  

When I came to Clemson, my older son had just graduated in Computer Science and was awaiting orders after being commissioned through Clemson’s USAF ROTC program. My younger son is also in the area studying nursing and hopes to finish his schooling as a Tiger. Those were the biggest draws for me initially, but the location is beautiful and the people here are truly exceptional. Those are the things that have kept me here. 

Is there anything you would like for people to know about your department?  

The Department of Export Control and Research Security directly supports the Clemson Elevate pillar of doubling research by 2035 by helping the University responsibly grow its portfolio of sensitive and regulated research- an area that is expanding rapidly as federal agencies and major research sponsors embed research security requirements earlier in agreements and funding vehicles. Our work focuses on supporting research at the award and agreement stage, where federal research security and export control requirements most directly shape how projects can move forward. We partner closely with faculty, research administrators, and campus stakeholders to translate complex regulations into clear, practical expectations that protect the University and our sponsors while enabling Clemson’s research enterprise to grow in a sustainable way. 

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The Clemson Champion is Staff Senate’s spotlight for exceptional staff and teams at Clemson. Stay tuned and meet more Clemson Champions in future posts.

At a training session recently, a participant asked me what she should do when she is in a difficult conversation, and her face communicates something before anything comes out of her mouth.  She admitted that this has gotten her into trouble personally and professionally, even when she is trying to be wise and measured in her responses.  Before she can acknowledge what she has heard someone say, ask thoughtful open-ended questions, and use the concern formula to express concerns, her face gives her away!

This is not an uncommon phenomenon, and it is not a dealbreaker in having productive conflict resolution conversations.  Our bodies react to situations instantaneously, while our brains and language centers take a minute to catch up.  This may come out on your face, your body language, or your tone.  You might make a quick, snide comment before you can catch yourself.  You might find yourself raising your voice to someone before you remember making the decision to yell.  Some people turn red when they are upset or frustrated, even if they have not said a word.  If this happens to you, there are ways to prevent damage from occurring. 

The first step is to know about these reactions and explore why they might be happening.  If your body is reacting before you say a word, the odds are someone has said something to you about it.  Awareness of your reactions is key, but it also helps to reflect on why they might be occurring in the first place.  When you know how you react, you can make those around you aware as well.  In both personal and professional relationships, you can call out your tendency to react physiologically and let the other person know that your face’s reaction is not always indicative of what you are thinking or feeling.  In other words, warn the people in your life that this will happen in times of conflict or tense conversations, and request that they withhold judgment until you have a minute to think and say what you actually want to say.  I know that my husband retreats into silence if our discussions become tense.  After I say something, I might have to wait 10 to 30 minutes for his response.  When we were first together, I thought he was refusing to talk to me.  Now I know that I will need to wait for his response.  Relationships involve negotiating how you are going to interact and resolve conflict.  Being able to share with someone that you know this about yourself, and here’s the best way for you both to handle it can help prevent difficult conversations from escalating.

Of course, it is not possible to tell everyone you interact with about your instinctive physiological reactions.  So if it happens with someone who does not know you well, a great response is to acknowledge it.  Saying something like, “It seems like you are reacting to the expression on my face, but I don’t want you to take that to represent how I am thinking and feeling.  I know that my face reacts before I’m ready, and I might need a minute before I can respond to you.”  Calling it out makes it clear that you are not trying to hide the reaction, but you are also requesting some time to state what your actual reaction is. 

Finally, whether you are able to preempt these responses, or you are scrambling to respond to them after they emerge, you can work on them.  You can work to control your face, tone, or body language, so they don’t give away what you are really thinking.  My husband has lowered his response time the longer we have been married, so I’m not waiting quite as long for his responses to my questions.  We can evolve and get better.  Our faces, bodies, and tone might betray us, but the betrayal is not detrimental.  It can even lead to knowing ourselves and each other better.    

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What is the Ombuds Office?
The Ombuds Office is a confidential, independent, neutral, and informal space for staff to process concerns, get information, and develop options for how to move forward in a difficult situation.  I can provide education, conflict coaching, mediation, and facilitation as well as referrals to other resources across Clemson.  If you are unsure how to move forward in any way, I can help you work through it.

Tessa Byer
Phone:  864-656-5353
Email:  tbyer@clemson.edu
Address:  135 Old Greenville Hwy, Ste. 203 (Next to Esso!)

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Navigating Intergenerational Workplaces
April 10, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00
In person at University Facilities Center, sign up here: 
Registration link

Interested in advancing your career with a Clemson MBA? Discover Clemson University’s flexible MBA options and learn more about the ETAP benefits available exclusively to Clemson employees. Attend our upcoming Information Session on Tuesday, March 10, schedule a one-on-one meeting with our Admissions Team at a time that works best for you or email mbaprogram@clemson.edu to explore additional options. Those interested may access the admission application.

It’s the second month of the new year.  Did you set New Year’s resolutions this year?  Did you keep them?  I do not set resolutions every year, but I have successfully set and kept them in the past.  However, none of my resolutions were achieved without the accompanying shame and anxiety about how I would feel if I were to join the millions of others who abandon their resolutions by the second Friday in January.  In other words, I have kept resolutions when the achievement was not the resolution itself but only the avoidance of failure.

When lamenting this tension recently, a friend told me she doesn’t count her January productivity toward her work or life projects at all.  She does what she needs to do to get her job done, but if she has broader goals, such as “learn a language,” “write a novel,” or “lose weight,” she gives herself the month of January to be okay with her status quo, rather than striving for more.  She looks at other months for productivity and achievement. 

I was intrigued.  My friend’s decision to only begin “counting” her productivity on February 1 made me think about seasons when we just need to sit back and survive.  Staff at Clemson have been through a lot lately:  leadership changes, ERP improvements, political shifts, financial mayhem, to name only a few.  Maintaining our productivity and professionalism while handling so much change is an achievement in itself. 

My No.1 strength in StrengthsFinder is “Achiever,” which I often find to be a burden, pushing me to strive more and rest never.  Because of this “strength,” if I decide to call it that, I’m one of those people who need to have tiered goals:  A big one that will take years, then something that will take this year, this semester, this month, this week, this day.  Right now, my big goal is working on my PhD.  But rather than a year-long or semester-long goal, what if I give myself permission to just get by? 

I’m not advocating that we spurn productivity or stop trying.  Caring about this place and pouring our hearts into our work is what makes this university run.  But I found my productivity to be somewhat counterintuitive:  When I gave myself permission to take a little break from the achievement grind, I was more productive than ever, without the fear or shame I’m used to.  I actually made a personal breakthrough and started working on a project I had dreamed about for years and kept putting off, waiting until there was a lull in everything else in my life.  That lull is not coming!  I needed to create it for myself.

I’ve also started putting important but easily ignored things on my weekly to-do list:  figure out what self-care I need, take a walk outside, spend uninterrupted time with my kids, have a conversation with my husband that does not involve logistics of feeding and housing and transporting these children.  As someone guided by lists, when there is a place for a checkmark by these, I’m much more likely to see them as something to achieve and find fulfillment in. 

So let me just say this:  You’re doing fine.  I’m doing fine.  We’ll get through these seasons of change, and that can be our big achievement for 2026. 

Box No.1: 

What is the Ombuds Office?

The Ombuds Office is a confidential, independent, neutral, and informal space for staff to process concerns, get information, and develop options for how to move forward in a difficult situation.  I can provide education, conflict coaching, mediation, and facilitation as well as referrals to other resources across Clemson.  If you are unsure how to move forward in any way, I can help you work through it.

Tessa Byer

Phone:  864-656-5353

Email:  tbyer@clemson.edu

Address:  135 Old Greenville Hwy, Ste. 203 (Next to Esso!)

Box No. 2:

Save the date for upcoming trainings offered by the Ombuds:

Teamwork that Works

February 26, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:00

Virtually only, sign up here: 

Registration link

Combating Burnout and Cultivating Resilience

March 6, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00

Virtually only

Registration link

Navigating Intergenerational Workplaces

April 10, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00

In person at University Facilities Center, sign up here: 

Registration link

Clemson students and employees can enjoy free guided wildflower walks at SCBG! 

Step into spring with us! Clemson University students, faculty, and staff are invited to enjoy free weekly guided wildflower walks along our peaceful Natural Heritage Trail. Wander at a relaxed pace with an experienced guide, soak in the beauty of the spring while discovering the hidden stories of our local plants and wildlife.

On Wednesdays, beginning March 11, join us to discover brand-new landscapes—fresh blossoms, unfolding leaves, and the ever-changing colors of spring. No two walks are the same, so come often and watch the Garden come alive! Space is limited, so pre-registration is required. 

More details can be found on our Eventbrite registration page.