Conflict Resolution
Conflict is a normal part of any healthy relationship. In reality, two people can’t be expected to agree on everything, all the time. The key is not to avoid conflict but to learn how to resolve it in a healthy way. When we mismanage conflict, it can cause harm to a relationship, but when handled in a respectful, positive way, conflict provides an opportunity to strengthen the bond between two people.
With being in a soon to be married relationship, the dynamic of our lives are changing and our lives consist of new responsibilities. This week I was able to practice my conflict resolutions skills with my fiancé. We’re not all perfect and we still have insecurities that are being dealt with. The biggest take from us resolving our disagreement was providing him reassurance and keeping calm throughout the process instead of me shutting down and avoiding the conflict all together. While identifying the source of conflict, looking beyond the incident, giving solutions that him and I can support, and coming into agreeance of those solutions are key things that conflict can unpainfnully be resolved.
Step 1: Identify the source of the conflict. The more information you have about the cause of the conflict, the more easily you can help to resolve it.
Step 2: Look beyond the incident. It’s not the situation but the perspective on the situation that causes anger to fester and ultimately leads to arguing or other visible and disruptive evidence of a conflict.
Step 3: Request solutions. After getting each person’s viewpoint on the conflict, the next step is to get each to identify how the situation could be changed. Again, question the person’s to solicit their ideas: “How can you make things better between you?”
Step 4: Identify solutions both disputants can support. You are listening for the most acceptable course of action. Point out the qualities of various ideas, not only from each other’s perspective, but in terms of the benefits to the organization.
Step 5: Agreement. The mediator needs to get the two parties to shake hands and agree to one of the alternatives identified in Step 4.