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Respectful
Conflict Resolution
 When
you put more than one person in a room at the same time, you get
it. It's unavoidable, given human nature. What is it? Conflict.
(You can have conflict when one person is in a room by himself,
but that's a subject best left to qualified professionals.) It
doesn't just happen between rivals; it can involve family, friends,
and colleagues.
When we try to come to an agreement on any topic, there generally
will be conflict because we all have our own frames of reference.
This isn't a bad thing; it is an opportunity to know and understand
where others are coming from, and it helps us grow.
Still,
there must be a way to resolve conflicts to leave everyone feeling
whole, heard and respected at the end of it. How? Try these steps:
Talk
it out
Ask questions to really draw out what others want and need. Being
very specific, in one sentence, restate what the others say, so
they will feel they are being heard.
Understand
what is really wanted
Misunderstandings and assumptions can derail efforts to resolve
conflict. If you aren't clear on something, ask more questions.
If you feel others don't understand, rephrase what you are saying.
Move
to a settlement
Your negotiation and communication skills come in here. Acknowledge
the other person's viewpoint. Find common ground on which you
can both agree. Follow up with your viewpoint. Move from their
interests, to common interests, to your interests.
Win/win
Propose a solution which will be acceptable to all involved. The
idea is to achieve your own goals, not to stop others from achieving
theirs. This may mean some compromise, and more negotiation, so
a mutually agreeable solution can be found.
Resolution
Decide on the final outcome. Make sure all agree and are clear
on the result. Shake hands to show all are on board with the solution.
Throughout
this process, always show respect for the other person. Just because
someone doesn't agree with you, that doesn't make them wrong.
Acknowledge the feelings and opinions of others, just as you would
like to be acknowledged. In this way, relationships can be built
or preserved, and all will feel whole, heard and respected.
 Sherry
Knight
is On Board...
…
on the Conexus Credit Union Board of Directors, thatis. Last year,
several Credit Unions in Southern Saskatchewan amalgamated to
form Conexus. This organization is moving forward, and Sherry
hopes to help. She brings to the Board an extensive knowledge
of human resources, communications, business development and dedication
to helping Saskatchewan business be the best it can be.
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Quote
of the Month
"Conflict
is the gadfly of thought. It stirs us to observation and memory.
It instigates to invention. It shocks us out of sheeplike passivity,
and sets us at noting and contriving."
~
John Dewey ~
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