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Dealing With Conflict

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Dealing With Conflict

People have varying degrees of comfort with conflict. Some prefer avoiding it at all costs. Unfortunately, those costs tend to increase the longer issues are left unaddressed. Therefore, learning how to manage and resolve conflict is to your benefit. When dealing with conflict:

  • Treat it as normal and expected. Conflict need not be catastrophic or personal. Conflict is simply part of being human.
  • Deal with issues as they arise. Avoiding conflict makes situations worse. Time does not resolve matters. Instead, it decreases the chance of a positive outcome.
  • Attempt to understand the other person's point of view. Dismissing the other's views, assigning blame, and exclusive focus on your own perspective are all counterproductive.
  • Don't judge emotions. No one's feelings are more or less “right” than the other's. Emotions reflect a valid perspective of an individual. Even if you don't understand it, acknowledge the other person's reaction as important.
  • Focus on the behavior, situation or problem area without attacking the person involved.
  • Do not assume your values or beliefs are “right.” They reflect a view of the world from your unique perspective. Respecting another's viewpoint as equally valuable opens an opportunity for learning and growth.
Dealing with conflict does not need to be dreaded or feared. Interpersonal conflict is a natural component of human interaction. In fact, if the problem is the object of focus versus the people involved, disagreements can generate new ideas and growth. Dealing with issues as they occur, acknowledging the other party's feelings and perspective, and avoiding judgment or blame further increase the chance of productive conflict resolution.

   

Comments

10/12/2009 4:29:22 PM
Drew said:

Conflicts are not a simple step by step process this advice is useless becaue a relationship cannot be broken down into simple system. People need to realize that certain problems can't be fixed. Its as simple as a bad investment somtimes you just need to cut your losses.


10/20/2009 10:10:11 AM
Alisa said:

I married a man I dated 14 years; I thought I knew him good. The day we married it seems like
he is someone I do not know.(He is non-understanding).
1. When I try to resolve issues ; he always acts like nothing happened.
2. He has a health ins. policy on himself & will not insure me.
3. He has gone as far as throwing food at me....
When: I was just waiting for when he was ready to eat. (That made me completely cut off sex).
4. Everything from my husband is Negative. Doesnt
matter what I say: He is negative.

I could go on & on!!!!!




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