Tips on how to manage conflicts in daily life
It is almost inevitable to be confronted with some form of conflict in our everyday lives, be it in the workplace, at home, or even in public places. While it does seem ideal for us to try and avoid such conflicts, it is next to impossible to do so in the real world. We could be facing a conflict while driving on the roads, purchasing goods from a retailer, parenting our children, interacting with our partner or spouse, or of course at the workplace with our colleagues or bosses. Instead of escaping such conflicts, it is important for us to keep in mind the following points on how to manage such conflicts better in our daily lives across myriad settings:
Talk about it: One of the first things to keep in mind while dealing with a potentially conflictual situation is to avoid making assumptions. Instead, be willing to engage in a conversation and talk about the issue, in order to gain perspective about it and be fully informed. Identify the problem clearly: Often, two (or more) parties engaged in dealing with a conflict may not even be defining the same problem, and are addressing the situation from two separate angles, thereby making a conflict resolution practically impossible! Pay attention to the needs: Whether it is the need of the situation, or what you or the opposing individual(s) are needing from the particular situation; it is essential to recognize these crucial aspects in order to
help resolve any kind of conflict. Use a collaborative
approach: While there are many a times when we prefer to accommodate, and give in to the needs and concerns of the opposing party in the interest of ending the conflict, such an approach needs to be dependent on the situation. However, ideally a collaborative approach is recommended, in which both the individual(s) cooperate to understand each other’s concerns and work towards finding a mutually satisfying solution. Develop effective interpersonal skills: Undoubtedly, most conflicts across settings are centered around an individual’s ability to communicate and develop an interpersonal functioning. Therefore, striking a balance between the objective, the importance attached to the relationship and your own sense of self-respect is the key to developing effective strategies to deal with conflicting situations. Be willing to compromise. Being two separate individuals, it is natural to have conflicting needs and desires. However, remember to pay attention to the larger picture, and be willing to negotiate and compromise, in the interest of the relationship as a unit as well. Remember to be solution focused: It is very easy to get swayed in the heat of the discussion, and to be finding faults becomes a natural tendency. However, regardless of the reasons to be blamed for the conflict to be arising in the first place, it is definitely more beneficial for you to focus on that solution to the existing problem. Accept (and expect) the inevitability of conflicts: As undesirable as they may be, it is important for us to be prepared to face such situations within our daily lives. It is an inherent part and parcel of our lives, and ignoring or avoiding them is not going to be helpful in the long run, instead only making the situation worse.
A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH IS NEEDED, IN WHICH BOTH PEOPLE COOPERATE TO UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER’S CONCERNS AND PROBLEMS