When I’m not at Clear Verve (and often times when I am at Clear Verve too), I’m active with several volunteer organizations in our community. One that I’m actively involved with is TEMPO Waukesha - a great group for professional women to connect with other professional women in Waukesha County. New members are nominated by current members and the women in the group are amazing.
Our TEMPO Waukesha group has been providing career development advice to some inspring women at the Women’s Center over the past year and I had the opportunity to speak with another TEMPO member on the topic of conflict resolution last week.
We had some great discussion as a group on strategies for resolving conflict including some role exercises. Here are some key take-away points we can all use when dealing with associates, clients and often resonate on the handling of a crisis:
- Listen and watch for what is felt as well as what is said. When we listen, we connect more deeply to our own needs and emotions, and to those of other people. Listening in this way also strengthens us, informs us, and makes it easier for others to hear us.
- Make conflict resolution the priority rather than winning or “being right.” Maintaining and strengthening the relationship, rather than “winning” the argument, should always be your first priority. Be respectful of the other person and his or her viewpoint.
- Focus on the present. If you’re holding on to old hurts and resentments, your ability to see the reality of the current situation will be impaired. Rather than looking to the past and assigning blame, focus on what you can do in the here-and-now to solve the problem.
- Pick your battles. Conflicts can be draining, so it’s important to consider whether the issue is really worthy of your time and energy.
- Be willing to forgive. Resolving conflict is impossible if you’re unwilling or unable to forgive. Resolution lies in releasing the urge to punish, which can never compensate for our losses and only adds to our injury by further depleting and draining our lives.
- Know when to let something go. If you can’t come to an agreement, agree to disagree. It takes two people to keep an argument going. If a conflict is going nowhere, you can choose to disengage and move on.
So, these were just a few of the many tips discussed. Feel free to share other tips/advice on this topic.
Susan Schoultz is Client Service Director at Clear Verve Marketing and works with clients to plan, create and execute marketing campaigns. Follow her on Twitter as @clearverve2.
RSS feed
