Conflict Resolution
We all have moments of frustration, whether associated with a friend, a family member, or a disagreement in our everyday life. Still, there are several positive strategies to utilize when dealing with conflict.
What qualifies as a conflict?
According to the Office of Human Resource Development at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, conflict is understood by analyzing various behaviors and the consequences each behavior produces on individuals living the dilemma.
- Avoidance: This person wishes to ignore the problem and will allow it to dissipate or squander. Unfortunately, quite the contrary is happening in this situation. The issue then swells under the surface until it’s no longer avoidable and must be addressed.
- Standing your Ground: People who use this technique may appear controlling and aggressive in their means of communication. They fear not having their needs met if they don’t set the rules and direct the conversation.
- Surrendering: Often perceived as the diplomat, the person using this tactic concedes to the needs of others. They place the needs and opinions of others on their own because preserving the relationship(s) is the ultimate goal.
- Compromise/Sacrifice: This method is a sort of concession, and while it seems to be an excellent route to take, it’s not the best approach. People in this category make a sequence of tradeoffs, meaning they focus on what they want instead of understanding the other’s viewpoint.
- Collaborate: People who practice collaboration care about win-win solutions. This means they scout common aspirations and needs so that every party knows their opinions and feelings are important and will be heard. This style requires a lot of cooperation, assertiveness, and communication among the parties.
Understanding your wants, needs, and behavior patterns will establish internal insight. You will better understand yourself and others around you and how situations may or may not unfold. This knowledge will give you the preliminary tools for conflict resolution.