How Do We Resolve Conflict?
It is a very good question indeed! With
diversity of cultures and experiences becoming so rich in the workplace and
social environment it is a question worth exploring. Whether we like it or not
these days we really need to learn skills that help us to navigate waters when
conversation takes an unfortunate turn
Do you hate arguments?
Learning these skills could help you at
work, in social settings or with your family, yet how many of us are even
willing to admit that it is worth the effort to learn these kind of skills? We
seem to dislike arguments and conflict so much that we just think they should
not happen at all, but is that not a little naive? It is something to aspire to
that is for sure but what can we do when it happens.
It takes two to tango
How can we navigate ourselves gracefully
through these uncomfortable circumstances and experiences? What can we do to
take responsibility for our involvement in the conflict? You may want to start
with something simple to empower yourself in these situations. "Do not be
so surprised when it happens." You are a human and not a robot. The joy in
that being, that we can develop our emotional intelligence!
Accepting Conflict as Human Nature?
Clearly non of us want to spend our time
fighting and arguing with other people. Yet pretending like everything is
hunky-dory just to keep the peace can also have negative effects. If we can
accept that people will have different opinions and view points, not matter how
different or distasteful their opinions may appear to us, this would already
put us in a more open state of mind to resolve the conflict as swiftly as
possible.
Embracing Diversity
Is it really easier said than done? With
self awareness and belief we can achieve and do just about anything we set our
mind to. If you accept that others have the right to their opinions, however
odd they maybe. It will be easier to accept them and also much easier to deal
with a conflict of opinion when one arises.
We do not need to agree to be agreeable
I will be putting into effect a little
experiment with myself. Consciously choosing to gather as many different
opinions on as many of the subjects that are very important to me. And seeing
if i can stay agreeable in the face of disagreement. Yes it is frustrating and
even somewhat annoying when we don't always find ourselves agreeing with what
other people have to say. Yet having said that this is also 2013 and everyone
has an opinion on everything so we better just get used to it and it might
actually catapult us into a new level of communication!
