Blaming the other person when we are in conflict is a game of folly. There is nothing to be gained except perhaps the temporary satisfaction of thinking we are not responsible for being part of the conflict.
What part are you playing in a conflict?
Taking the ‘High Road’
It sometimes happens when in conflict that our journey takes us up the ‘high road’. While it works at times to deflect the interaction, this route can be perceived as patronizing. In those cases being on a ‘high road’ may serve to provoke the other person and hinder the possibility of resolving matters. We may be asked, “Just who do you think you are?”
Which road may best achieve the sort of outcome you are wanting?
Developing New Conflict Habits
Until we learn new conflict habits to replace our destructive ones, we will miss the chance to get what we need – and what the other person needs – to live and work compatibly and in peace. Identifying which of our habits preclude this takes honesty and courage – and changing requires willingness to do so.
What conflict habits will you change?
Careful Conflict
Sometimes we react to a perceived offence without considering that the other person’s intention may not be what we think. Rather, we attribute negative motives and respond impulsively. We are careless and it appears we could care less.
If you care about the other person in a conflict you are having with her or him, what do careful responses look or sound like?
Clash and Dash
‘Clash and dash’ is one way of managing conflict. It refers to the act of fighting, asserting our view, not listening, and quickly taking ourselves out of the interaction. If we choose to clash and dash we leave no room for reconciling our differences. It seems somewhat of a cowardly and self-centered approach. And it may also be one that reflects the fears of the person who clashes and then, dashes.
What perceived fears underlie a clash and dash approach you have used in a conflict?
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