No matter how much positivity we put out into the world, there’s never going to be a complete stop to the amount of conflict that happens in our daily lives. Whether it's at home, at work, or on larger political and social scales, conflict is inevitable and, therefore, can’t be entirely prevented. So, to get the best outcome after it occurs, we just need to manage it better by instituting effective conflict resolution mechanisms. Take a look at these conflict resolution tips that will help you navigate the unexpected conflicts you may find yourself in.
Open Communication
There is no sensible conversation that can take place without open communication and this is the same when it comes to conflict resolution. It’s so important to create an environment where everyone feels safe to express their thoughts and feelings if you want to tackle an ongoing conflict. Otherwise, everyone will just act on the defence over something that may have been just a big misunderstanding. When you communicate openly, you can, therefore, pinpoint the source of the problem that caused the conflict and work towards a sustainable solution to jointly end it. Encouraging everyone involved to openly share their perspectives honestly would be a big step towards conflict resolution.
Compromise From Both Parties
You need to understand that if you want to completely resolve a conflict, compromises need to be made by both parties involved in the conflict. Although it's not always easy, it's essential to recognize that neither side will get everything they want. Approach the situation with the mindset that you’re both on the same team, even if it doesn’t feel that way at the height of the conflict. By finding a middle ground you can strengthen your relationship and build a long-term system of lucrative trust.
Active Listening
Active listening might sound simple in theory, but it is a game changer when it comes to resolving conflict. It involves not just hearing what the other person is saying, but truly understanding their point of view. This means putting away distractions and giving your full attention to them without any bias or pre-defensiveness towards the situation. You also need to show non-verbal cues to encourage your counterpart to open up more. This involves maintaining eye contact, and occasionally nodding in agreement. When people feel heard, they’re more likely to be receptive to your side of the story thus creating grounds on which to reduce misunderstandings, which can often escalate conflicts further.
Anger Management
Let’s be real: conflict can spark some intense emotions, and anger is often the first one. Managing that anger is crucial if you want to de-escalate the situation and resolve conflicts effectively. Both parties need to take a moment to breathe, step back, or even count to ten before responding so that they don't find their anger taking over and worsening the situation. Anger breeds chaos and it makes us lose our ability to think rationally and more wisely. Thus, in the end, it just worsens everything. Recognizing when you’re getting evoked allows you to regulate your emotions and keep them in check. Remember, it’s okay to feel angry, but it’s how you handle that anger that makes all the difference.
Encourage Empathy
One skill that can enhance your livelihood once you master it is empathy. Being empathetic can go a long way when it comes to conflict resolution due to a multiple number of factors. Encouraging empathy means asking everyone involved to put themselves in each other's shoes. This doesn’t mean you have to agree with them, it just allows people the opportunity to see that you’re trying to understand them, making them more likely to reciprocate your actions. Empathy alone can help you understand the behaviours the problem and work on aren't the right solution.
Sticking To Clear Boundaries
Setting clear boundaries is essential in any relationship, especially when conflict arises. You, therefore, need to establish what behaviours are acceptable and what aren’t so that you prevent misunderstandings and create a safer environment for all parties. Make sure to communicate these boundaries clearly and respectfully so that everyone can know the limit to adhere to and what they can do or say without provoking the other person. This will act as a regulation which will foster grounds for good conflict resolution.
Have A Neutral Party Present
In situations where the conflict is now full-blown and has entirely expanded, you may need to find a neutral third party to objectively help in resolving the conflict. This person can help facilitate the conversation, ensuring that it stays respectful and productive. Third parties also offer an outside perspective that may even highlight points you hadn’t considered before, making the conflict resolution process more holistic. You just need to ensure that the neutral party present is actually neutral and not just feigning neutrality if you want the conflict to be resolved amicably.
Be Patient
Patience is a must if you want to resolve a conflict. This is because conflict resolution isn’t always a quick fix and can sometimes take more time. This is because people need the chance to fully process their feelings and come to an agreement without rushing the process if they want the resolution to be sustainable. Regardless of all this, being patient also just shows that you respect the other person’s feelings and are committed to getting to the root of the problem together thus encouraging a positive understanding between the two of you.