10 Best Conflict Resolution Techniques for Every Relationship
When two or more people are together, conflict is bound to happen.
There will be differences in opinion or belief. One might agree to a certain point whilst others might just disagree totally. If not sorted, things might escalate to fights and may tarnish the relationship between two individuals.
This is why one must be aware of various conflict resolutions techniques that will help resolve issues and can keep relationships or companionship from breaking up.
Let’s have a look at some of these techniques
1. It’s not about winning or being right
The primary reason for a conflict is when either of the parties is trying to win an argument or trying to be right. It is true that one must say what’s right, but sometimes it is necessary to let go off things.
When you’re involved in an argument, you’ve to take a call which is important for you – winning an argument and proving your point right or the relationship with the other person.
If you think losing this battle will help you maintain a healthy relationship with the other person, then accept the defeat.
After all, it’s not always about proving one’s point.
2. Maintain calmness
The one thing that’s difficult to maintain in an argument is the calmness. But, it is an avoidable conflict resolution technique. It is obvious that when you’re in a conflict with someone, you would lose your mind and will end up saying or doing things that you never wanted to do.
Sadly, it’s not possible to undo certain things. So, no matter what, don’t lose your calmness. It will help you think rationally and will stop you from saying or doing things that you would regret eventually.
Hence, this is one of the most important conflict resolution techniques.
3. Avoid it as much as you can
The primary reason to get into conflict is to get involved in it.
As an important conflict resolution technique, avoidance means once you’re not involved, you are away and safe. It is difficult at times to avoid a conflict, but one must still try to do so. It indeed would require a lot of self-control and foresightedness, but if you want to maintain a healthy relationship and don’t want to tarnish it at all, avoid the conflict for the best.
Divert your attention and mind to something more important than to get into a conflict.
4. Perspective
Often, when we get into a conflict, we start blaming the person. We start attacking them personally and the actual cause of the conflict is set aside. This is usual but wrong.
So, when you’re involved in an argument or in a conflict, don’t blame the person, instead, look for the root cause of it. You must focus on the main reason for the conflict than to simply blame the person for it.
After all, blaming won’t help, solving a problem surely would.
5. Listen to understand not to respond
This is one of the common mistakes one make and hence it is one of the important conflict resolution techniques.
Mostly, when you’re in an argument, we listen to respond and not to understand. Our reflex at that point is to simply respond to the person than to understand what point they’re trying to make.
The moment we will start listening to understand, things will be easy for us. We would start looking at their perspective and will be able to address them easily.
6. Addressing points tactfully
It is understood that you have to make your point in an argument. However, how you make your point also matters.
If you’re shouting and raising your voice without any support for your argument, you are going to fall flat. It is of importance that you make pointers of essential things to be discussed in an argument and present them tactfully.
You don’t have to raise your voice or get personal with the other party. All you have to do is state facts, easily and tactfully.
If you’re able to do that, you would not only win the argument but would also secure a good place in other’s mind.
7. Don’t play the blame game
One of the important conflict resolution techniques is to avoid playing the blame game. It happens with all of us. When we are involved in an argument, we suddenly start blaming each other for the shortfall or problem.
What we fail to realize is that playing the blame game is not going to help you win the argument or come to a possible solution to the problem at all. It would lead to nowhere.
So, instead of playing the blame game, start focusing on things that are important and the main topic of the argument.
8. Future-focused
Find the reason for which you’re involved in an argument and try to look for a solution to the said problem.
You don’t want to end the conversation with no solution to the issue. So, be goal-oriented. Focus on the future instead of bringing the past into the picture.
Past is gone and can’t be undone, but your present actions will surely shape the future.
Ensure that you’re focused towards the end goal and are not diverted at all.
9. Ask the right question
This is a must-have in conflict resolution techniques.
Ask the right question if you seek out for the right answer. Sometimes, people make mistakes of asking the wrong question that takes the conversation to a different direction and the entire meeting is wasted.
So, if you want the right answer, start asking the right question. Prepare before the meeting and be confident when you ask those questions.
10. Be creative
Don’t fall for the obvious. There is always a solution to every problem.
All one has to do is look for it. Make sure you’ve a creative solution to the problem. If you want others to be convinced of you, think out-of-the-box and present facts or figures that would turn their opinion towards you. Make sure you know when to bow or when to raise your voice.
Yet another and one of the most crucial conflict resolution techniques, creativity can save the day for you. All you have to do is be confident in what you say, and you can avoid nasty situations easily, without getting affected by them.
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