About A.M. Consulting
Building authentic partnerships through collaborative transformation
Leadership Profile: Altagracia Montilla, Founder and Principal
Altagracia Montilla is a visionary leader, award-winning facilitator, strategist, and transformational consultant known for bringing people together in transformative and joyful ways. With over a decade of experience across nonprofit, corporate, and community sectors, she specializes in curating experiences that spark connections and strengthen relationships.
Guided by the belief that "our futures depend on our ability to meaningfully connect—with ourselves, with others, and with purpose," Altagracia is deeply committed to designing spaces where collective wellbeing can thrive. As a community care specialist, organizational culture consultant, and the creator of Conflict Bravery, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals, leaders, and communities navigate tension with care, clarity, and courage.
The Universal Challenge
Leaders, professionals, and community members across all sectors face a critical dilemma: How do you create environments where difficult conversations can happen without compromising relationships or organizational stability?
Common Patterns We See:
- Important issues get avoided to "keep the peace"
- Teams operate with unspoken tensions that limit effectiveness
- Innovation stagnates when people avoid challenging conversations
- Conflict gets managed rather than transformed into opportunity
- Individuals feel isolated in navigating complex interpersonal dynamics
- Organizations struggle with authentic communication and trust-building
What is Conflict Bravery™?
Conflict Bravery™ is the practice of meeting tension with care, clarity, and courage.
Conflict Bravery invites us to embrace conflict for positive change. It is the practice of meeting tension with care, clarity, and courage. Conflict Bravery isn't about being aggressive. It's about being present, grounded in conflict, and staying connected.
The Five Core Principles of Conflict Bravery
These foundational principles guide communities in transforming how they approach tension and disagreement:
Visual Data Insights
Explore the data behind workplace conflict through visual representations that illustrate the business case for transformation.
Understanding the Cost of Workplace Conflict
The following visualizations demonstrate the significant financial and operational impact of unresolved workplace conflict, as well as the potential return on investment from conflict resolution training.
Data Visualization Benefits
These visual representations help organizations quickly understand the scope and scale of workplace conflict costs, making it easier to justify investment in conflict resolution training and culture transformation initiatives. Each visualization is based on verified research data cited in the References section.
Custom Visualizations Available
We can create customized data visualizations specific to your organization's size, industry, and conflict patterns. Contact us to discuss how visual data insights can support your business case for Conflict Bravery training.
Who Benefits from Conflict Bravery Training?
Business Professionals & Leaders
- Build more trusting, innovative teams
- Navigate difficult conversations with confidence
- Create inclusive environments where all voices are heard
- Transform organizational culture through authentic leadership
- Improve workplace communication and collaboration
Community Leaders & Organizations
- Foster healthy dialogue across diverse perspectives
- Strengthen community bonds and collective problem-solving
- Navigate complex social and cultural dynamics
- Build more resilient and connected communities
Individuals & Families
- Develop personal skills for healthier relationships
- Learn to approach conflict as an opportunity for growth
- Build emotional intelligence and communication skills
- Create more authentic connections with others
Benefits extend throughout any organization or community:
- Team Members develop skills to collaborate more effectively and create psychologically safe environments
- Leaders gain confidence in facilitating difficult conversations and building trust
- Organizations experience improved communication, stronger relationships, and more innovative problem-solving approaches
- Communities benefit from healthier dialogue and stronger social connections
Program Offerings
Conflict Bravery Masterclass
A comprehensive learning experience for individuals and teams
- Format: Three intensive sessions designed for busy professionals and community leaders
- Approach: Move beyond theory into embodied practice
- Focus: Real-time skill building in a supportive learning community
- Ideal for: Business teams, community groups, nonprofit organizations, and individuals seeking personal growth
Organizational Consulting
Customized support for businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations
- Culture assessment and conflict pattern analysis
- Leadership team development and coaching
- Team training and skill building workshops
- Implementation support for new communication practices
- Ongoing support for sustainable culture transformation
Individual Coaching & Support
Personal development for conflict transformation
- One-on-one coaching sessions
- Personal conflict navigation support
- Relationship and communication skill building
- Support for difficult life transitions
Impact & Results
"Bringing Conflict Bravery into organizations has been the single most effective approach I've seen for shifting culture. Teams become more trusting. Communication becomes more honest. Workflows become more efficient. Creativity and innovation flow more freely. When people feel safe enough to be real with one another, everything changes."
Proven Training Effectiveness
Research demonstrates the transformative power of conflict resolution training. According to a comprehensive study by CPP Inc. (2008) on workplace conflict training effectiveness:
Verified Outcomes from Conflict Resolution Training:
- 95% report improved ability to navigate conflict positively - Nearly all participants gain practical skills for handling difficult situations
- 27% increased confidence in handling conflict - More than a quarter of participants feel significantly more capable
- 20% better at avoiding conflicts - Participants develop skills to prevent unnecessary tensions
- 19% achieve positive outcomes for all parties - Training leads to win-win solutions that benefit everyone involved
Source: CPP Inc. (2008). Workplace Conflict and How Businesses Can Harness It to Thrive.
Additional Benefits from Communication Training
According to the 2023 State of Business Communication report, organizations that invest in communication training see remarkable results:
72% increase in productivity when teams improve their communication and conflict resolution skills.
Source: Forbes (2023). State of Business Communication Report.
What Participants Report:
- Increased team cohesion and collaboration
- More effective problem-solving and decision-making
- Reduced workplace tension and improved relationships
- Enhanced confidence in navigating difficult conversations and conflict situations
- Improved personal and professional relationships
- Greater innovation and creative solutions to challenges
- Enhanced ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics
- Stronger community connections and social bonds
- Increased emotional intelligence and self-awareness
Real-World Impact: Case Study
Organizational Turnaround: Teens Take Charge
Challenge: A vital NYC nonprofit organization serving youth advocacy was on the brink of closure due to internal conflicts, communication breakdowns, and organizational dysfunction.
Intervention: Altagracia implemented comprehensive culture transformation strategies, including:
- Conflict resolution training for leadership and staff
- Communication protocol development
- Team cohesion building through Conflict Bravery principles
- Strategic organizational restructuring
- Ongoing coaching and support for sustainable change
Results:
- Organization saved from closure - Teens Take Charge continues to serve NYC youth today
- Restored team functionality - Staff able to work collaboratively and productively
- Improved organizational culture - From dysfunctional to thriving workplace environment
- Sustainable systems established - Long-term practices for healthy conflict navigation
- Mission continuity - Youth advocacy work continues without interruption
Key Insight: This case demonstrates that even organizations facing existential crises can transform through strategic conflict resolution and culture change. The investment in Conflict Bravery training and organizational development not only saved the organization but created a foundation for long-term success.
Conflict Bravery in Action
Experience the transformative power of Conflict Bravery through these moments captured during workshops, training sessions, and community gatherings.
Ready to add your organization's photos to this gallery? Book your Conflict Bravery session today.
"Conflict Bravery doesn't make conflict disappear. It makes us brave enough to face it—and wise enough to grow through it."
- Altagracia Montilla, Creator of Conflict Bravery
References & Research Citations
The data and statistics presented in this brochure are drawn from verified research studies and industry reports. All claims about training effectiveness and organizational impact are supported by the following sources:
Primary Research Sources
Conflict Resolution Training Effectiveness
- CPP Inc. (2008). "Workplace Conflict and How Businesses Can Harness It to Thrive." Comprehensive study on conflict resolution training outcomes showing 95% effectiveness rate in improving conflict navigation skills.
Workplace Conflict Costs & Statistics
- Pollack Peacebuilding Systems. "Workplace Conflict Statistics." Industry analysis documenting $359 billion annual cost of workplace conflict, 2.1 hours per week per employee impact, and turnover rates. Available at: pollackpeacebuilding.com/workplace-conflict-statistics
Communication & Productivity Research
- Forbes (2023). "State of Business Communication Report." Research demonstrating 72% productivity increase from improved workplace communication and conflict resolution skills.
Professional Credentials & Background
Educational Credentials
Professional Experience
- Center for Supportive Schools. Former Chief Equity Officer position, where Altagracia served as the youngest woman of color in executive leadership, developing and implementing nationwide DEI programs.
- Teens Take Charge. Organizational turnaround case study demonstrating successful intervention preventing nonprofit closure through culture transformation and conflict resolution strategies.
Additional Research & Resources
Organizational Culture & Transformation
- Gallup Workplace Research. Studies on organizational culture impact and measurement.
- SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management). Research on conflict training ROI and organizational development.
Academic Studies
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI/PMC). Peer-reviewed research on conflict management training effectiveness in healthcare and organizational settings.
- Nova Southeastern University. Academic research on conflict resolution training methodologies and outcomes.
About the Conflict Bravery Methodology
Conflict Bravery™ is a proprietary methodology developed through years of practical application in organizational settings, community spaces, and individual coaching contexts. The approach integrates research-backed conflict resolution principles with embodied practices for sustainable culture transformation.
Development & Research Foundation: The methodology emerged from direct work with organizations facing complex interpersonal and systemic challenges. It draws on established research in conflict resolution, organizational psychology, communication theory, and social justice frameworks, while centering the lived experiences of diverse communities navigating tension and change.
The Five Core Principles in Practice: Each principle—Conflict as Care, Authenticity Over Comfort, Grounded Engagement, Systemic Transformation, and Culture of Innovation—serves as both a conceptual framework and a practical tool. Participants learn to apply these principles through experiential exercises, real-time skill building, and supported practice in their actual work and life contexts.
Evidence-Based Approach: While Conflict Bravery is a unique methodology, its effectiveness is supported by broader research on conflict resolution training (CPP Inc., 2008), communication skill development (Forbes, 2023), and organizational culture transformation. The approach emphasizes measurable outcomes, participant feedback, and continuous refinement based on real-world results.
Application Across Contexts: The methodology has been successfully implemented in nonprofit organizations, corporate teams, community groups, and individual coaching relationships. Its adaptability allows for customization while maintaining core principles that drive transformation across diverse settings.
For additional information about research methodologies, data sources, or to request full citations, please contact us at info@altagraciamontilla.com.
