CONFLICT
RESOLUTION
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
TEN STRATEGIES FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION
CONFLICT RESOLUTION LINKS
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SECTION 1
CONFLICT
RESOLUTION
Interpersonal conflict is a fact of life and can arise in almost any sphere,
from organisations through to personal relationships. Learning to resolve it
effectively, in a way that does not increase your stress levels, is therefore
important for everyone. Those with good conflict resolution skills generally
help organisations and groups to work more effectively.
Interpersonal conflict is a fact of life and can arise in almost any sphere,
from organisations through to personal relationships. Learning to resolve it
effectively, in a way that does not increase your stress levels, is therefore
important for everyone. Those with good conflict resolution skills generally
help organisations and groups to work more effectively.
Types of Conflict
There are three types of conflict, personal or relational conflicts,
instrumental conflicts and conflicts of interest:
1. Personal or relational conflicts
Personal or relational conflicts are usually about identity or
self-image, or important aspects of a relationship such as loyalty,
breach of confidence, perceived betrayal or lack of respect.
2. Instrumental conflicts
Instrumental conflicts are about goals, structures, procedures and
means: something fairly tangible and structural within the organisation
or for an individual.
3. Conflicts of interest
Conflicts of interest concern the ways in which the means of achieving
goals are distributed, such as time, money, space and staff. They may
also be about factors related to these, such as relative importance, or
knowledge and expertise. An example would be a couple disagreeing over
whether to spend a bonus on a holiday or to repair the roof.
Resolving Conflict
It is important to emphasise that dealing with conflict early is usually
easier, because positions are not so entrenched, others are less likely
to have started to take sides, and the negative emotions are not so extreme.
The best way to address a conflict in its early stages is through negotiation
between the participants.
There are five main strategies for dealing with conflicts, all of which can
be considered in terms of who wins and who loses.
5 Strategies for Dealing with Conflict
1. Compete or Fight
This is the classic win/lose situation, where the strength and power
of one person wins the conflict.
It has its place, but anyone using it needs to be aware that it will
create a loser and, if that loser has no outlet for expressing their
concerns, then it will lead to bad feeling. This strategy is probably
best only used where little or no further contact is necessary between
the individuals or groups concerned.
2. Collaboration
This is the ideal outcome: a win/win situation.
However, it requires input of time from those involved to work through
the difficulties, and find a way to solve the problem that is agreeable
to all. This may be hard work, especially if the positions have already
become entrenched, but it is also likely to be the best possible starting
point early in a conflict situation.
3. Compromise or Negotiation
This is likely to result in a better result than win/lose, but it’s not
quite win/win. You could call it a no-score draw.
Both parties give up something in favour of an agreed mid-point solution.
This effectively results in a solution that pleases nobody very much, but
hopefully will not offend or upset anyone too much. It takes less time
than collaboration, but is likely to result in less commitment to the
outcome because it is nobody’s preferred option.
4. Denial or Avoidance
This is where everyone pretends there is no problem.
This strategy is used surprisingly often and can be quite effective. It is
particularly helpful if those in conflict need time to ‘cool down’ before
any discussion, or if the conflict is unimportant and will simply resolve
itself given time.
However, it cannot be used if the conflict won’t just die down. Under these
circumstances, using this strategy will create a lose/lose situation: there
will still be bad feeling, but no clearing the air through discussion. It
results, in Transactional Analysis terms, in ‘I’m not OK, you’re not OK.
This can result in serious stress for those involved.
5. Smoothing Over the Problem
On the surface, harmony is maintained but, underneath, there is still conflict.
This is similar to the situation above, except that one person is probably OK
with this smoothing, while the other remains in conflict, creating a win/lose
situation again. It can work where preserving a relationship is more important
than dealing with the conflict right now. It is, however, not very useful if
one person, or others outside the conflict, feel that the situation must be
resolved,
Conflict Resolution
https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/conflict-resolution.html
Conflict Resolution:
Definition, Process,
Skills, Examples
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/conflict-resolutions-skills-2063739
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SECTION 2
TEN
STRATEGIES
FOR
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
When angry, separate yourself from the situation
and take time to cool out.
Attack the problem, not the person. Start with a
compliment.
Communicate your feelings assertively, NOT
aggressively. Express them without
blaming.
Focus on the issue, NOT your position about the issue.
Accept and respect that individual opinions may differ,
don’t try to force compliance, work to develop common
agreement.
Do not review the situation as a competition, where one
has to win and one has to lose. Work toward a solution
where both parties can have some of their needs met.
Focus on areas of common interest and agreement, instead
of areas of disagreement and opposition.
NEVER jump to conclusions or make assumptions about what
another is feeling or thinking.
Listen without interrupting; ask for feedback if needed
to assure a clear understanding of the issue.
Remember, when only one person’s needs are satisfied in
a conflict, it is NOT resolved and will continue.
Forget the past and stay in the present.
Build ‘power with’ NOT ‘power over’ others.
Thank the person for listening.
Conflict Resolution
Center International
http://www.crnetwork.ca/
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SECTION 3
CONFLICT
RESOLUTION
LINKS
5 Conflict Resolution Strategies
https://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/conflict-resolution/conflict-resolution-strategies/
7 Reasons Why People Are Mean And
Rude To Others And How To Deal With It
https://unravelbrainpower.com/reasons-why-people-are-mean-and-rude/
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
http://www.crinfo.org/action/browse.jsp?nid=2337
The Association for Conflict Resolution ACR
http://www.acrnet.org/
Communication and Conflict
http://www.communicationandconflict.com/
Conflicts Resolution
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_81.htm
Conflicts Resolution
http://www.antispywarecoalition.org/documents/ConflictsResolution.htm
Conflict resolution
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=287&id=1521
Conflict Resolution Network
http://www.crnhq.org/
Conflict Resolution Skills
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/eq8_conflict_resolution.htm
Cooperative conflict resolution
http://www.studygs.net/conflres.htm
CR Info
http://www.crinfo.org/
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Dispute Resolution
https://hr.vanderbilt.edu/policies/dispute-resolution.php
EFFECTIVE CONFLICT RESOLUTION
http://www.1000ventures.com / business_guide / crosscuttings / conflict_resolution_main.html
ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education
http://www.ericdigests.org/
Field Guide to Mediation And Conflict Resolution
http://www.realtor.org/library/library/fg700
Five Types of Conflict Resolution Strategies
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/five-types-conflict-resolution-strategies-19251.html
Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research (HIIK)
http://www.HIIK.de/
The Home of Conflict resolution and Self Improvement
http://www.contact07.net
How to Resolve Business Conflicts
http://www.learnthat.com/Business/learn/1431/Resolving-Business-Conflicts/
How To Resolve Conflict
http://www.rogerdarlington.co.uk/conflict.html
How to Resolve Conflict
http://www.wittcom.com/how_to_resolve_conflict.htm
How to Resolve Conflicts at Work
http://www.ehow.com/how_3820_resolve-conflicts-work.html
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How to Resolve Conflicts at Work
http://www.wikihow.com/Resolve-a-Conflict-at-Work
International Crisis Group
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=4037
On Earth Peace
http://www.onearthpeace.org
Peacemakers Trust
http://www.peacemakers.ca/publications/ADRdefinitions.html
Peace polls
http://www.peacepolls.org/
Resolve Church Conflict
http://www.resolvechurchconflict.com/
Resolving Conflicts
http://www.goodcharacter.com/YCC/ResolvingConflicts.html
Resolving Conflicts
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/resolving-conflicts.cfm
Resolving Conflicts Quickly and Peacefully
http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/resolving-conflicts-quickly-and-peacefully/
SAFE YOUTH
http://www.safeyouth.org/
Search for Common Ground
http://www.sfcg.org
Social Skills
http://specialed.about.com/od/characterbuilding/
TEACH-NOLOGY
http://www.teach-nology.com/
Transforming conflicts into positive interactions
http://www.myrelationshipsaver.com
Workplace Conflict Resolution
https://www.thebalance.com/workplace-conflict-resolution-1918675
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