Conflict exists in every part of the human experience. In our homes, with close friends, at work or with random strangers. After the major world-changing events of the past 2 years, many of us are less patient, anxious and prone to taking hard stances on certain issues making us more volatile and far less empathetic. Being able to navigate and deal with conflict requires some key practices to help you manage/resolve conflict versus escalating it.
Understand The Conflict
Not all conflicts are the same. Sometimes a person or party may do or say something that seems like a deliberate attack and for many of us instinctively we then want to respond in kind. It is important to take a breath, analyze the action or words to ensure the perceived slight was as intended or misinterpreted. This allows you to temper your response accordingly which then allows the other to clarify or retract. This can then allow more understanding and de-escalation.
Don’t Avoid Conflict
While you don’t want to seek out conflict, it can be more problematic to ignore situations that are constantly causing you to feel threatened or demeaned. Whether it is someone personally infringing on your boundaries or a co-worker who makes comments that you find disrespectful. Before it escalates to the point where it’s unbearable and you have a harsh response, address the issue in a calm manner. Pointing out what the concern is from your point of view can lead to deeper understanding and curtailing of bad behaviour.
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See also: 5 Ways to Manage Rejection
Respect Differences
We all have different hard-wired beliefs and moral standards. We also can acknowledge that your point of view may differ vastly from others. This acknowledgment allows you to process these differences as not always making the other party a threat but instead employing grace. Making your POV understood from a place of reason versus judgment leaves room for the other person to better understand why you think the way you do rather than feeling judged by you. While this might not lead to changed minds, it allows each to walk away with respect intact. It also is an opportunity for additional agreement on more common grounds in the future.
Feature image photo by Alex Green
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