While we always dream of harmony and peace, one of many things that keeps us apart from it is conflicts. Conflicts are an inevitable part of human life, and they exist on both micro and macro levels. People have always been in search of finding a perfect conflict resolution strategy, but there’s no such thing as that. Every conflict is subjective and differs from one another, either in terms of the subject of the conflict, the people involved, or its level (micro and macro), as mentioned earlier. However, there are some handy techniques to resolve conflicts if you seem to be going nowhere.
As said there are no particularly “perfect” strategies for resolving conflicts. However, some broad guidelines can be assumed as a method of conflict resolution. In this writing, we will discover those guidelines and how they can help in resolving conflicts.
1. Listening actively to both sides.
All strategies for resolving conflict or any guidelines might just go in vain if both sides don’t tend to explain their narratives to the opposing party. Every side has a reason to enter a conflict. Both cannot be right and wrong at the same time, and a party may have a stronger argument in their favor than the other.
If you find yourself in a standoff during a negotiation, either on a national level or a domestic one, there is this must-do guideline. Having tolerance and empathy for listening to the other side of the story. Since a coin has two ends, a conflict or an issue must also possess more than one side or narrative to it. Both or all the parties, considering the level of conflict, should hear one another out consciously to better understand each other to reach a solution. Since conflicts usually arise from misunderstandings and miscommunications, such problems might be addressed through this and bring a lot of clarity to the situation. This not only helps in resolving a conflict but also fosters a condition of mutual respect and understanding.
2. Converse with an open heart.
After listening to one another, you should have an element of respect and tolerance for the opposition. Conflicts sometimes occur among people who are closely related in life, such as family members, friends, colleagues, etc. Express your side of the narrative or story with such care and diplomatically that the message is conveyed and no misunderstandings take place. This would prevent the conflict from escalating and would pave the way towards a solution.
Compromise shall take place either on one side or both. Don’t shy away from compromising if you conflict with someone you’re close with since you’d have to need that person in your life again. Be empathetic in your negotiations, and you may well find peace soon.
3. Look for common grounds.
One of the famous strategies for conflict resolution includes searching for common grounds and elements in both sides’ arguments. Even in a heated debate or argument, both parties may possess shared values, goals, or interests that may help them towards a solution. These particular things should be highlighted in an argument so both parties unite on the common ground. This helps in resolving a conflict quickly since both sides are working toward or possess a similar aim.
4. Involve a mediator.
Involving a third party is one of the best methods of conflict resolution if emotions are attached. A neutral third party can listen to both sides and give a piece of informed advice to each side. This gives them an equal chance to express their emotions and values to both parties without escalating the matter. This eventually helps towards a solution since a mediator would provide conflict facilitation to help reach a result.
5. Stepping away for a while to find a solution
No one likes to lose an argument since egos and values are attached to your side of the story. This may lead to a prolonged standoff and may result in an escalation of events if not handled properly. Therefore, it’s better to take a break from the conflict and brainstorm ideas with clarity on ways to resolve it.
During arguments and negotiations, it sometimes becomes difficult to reach an end due to irrationality and emotional rush. Thinking about the situation with a clear and free mind can allow the conflict to cool down and eventually reach an agreement.
To conclude, all conflicts can’t be handled the same way. But these are some guidelines that can help you to pave a path toward a fix or solution. Implementing these resolving conflict strategies in your case may help you to reach a result sooner. These techniques aim to empower individuals to transform disputes into opportunities for growth and harmony.