Resolving & Preventing Conflict
Learn how to manage and resolve conflict effectively
Back to other courses »About the Course
There is a particular quote from the Persian poet Rumi which we believe encapsulates the key to successful conflict resolution:
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there.”
In conflict resolution, you have to bring all parties to a place where they realise that the ultimate aim is the same. There must be a real willingness to resolve the conflict, a willingness to meet each other beyond personal interests, fixed positions and mistrust. The role of anyone who is managing conflict is to bring all parties to that place in order for the resolution to begin.
In day to day life there are two ways that conflict shows itself:
1) Conflicts that we meet ourselves directly. These are conflicts in our relationships with others, conflicts that we ourselves are directly involved in.
2) Conflicts between others. These are conflicts between two or more parties that we have a responsibility to manage, facilitate and resolve.
Whatever the conflict, the possibility for its resolution demands that all parties realise that the ultimate the aim is the same. Finding this common ground is essential. You see, when we look at the big picture, we all want the same thing. The difficulty in resolving conflict is usually figuring how to get there more than anything else. But what we must do first is agree on the aim, and then talk about how to achieve it.
Often in conflicts, the blind spot is that each party believes the cause of the conflict lies with the other. The magic in conflict resolution is getting all parties to appreciate the need to examine how it is that they are contributing. This is a prerequisite for resolving any conflict. All parties must understand that the conflict is created by two or more parties and always two or more parties. It is never 100% one party’s fault or problem. We can never say that the conflict is being fuelled solely by others and ignore the part we ourselves are playing.
In conflicts, each side easily sees how the other is behaving. What is not usually understood is how the other side is seeing the situation. It is imperative for all sides in a conflict to listen, understand and respect the way in which the other sees the problem, not just the way in which the other behaves. If we understand how the other side sees the problem, we can then understand their behaviour
There are a several fundamental principles or steps which, if understood, would lead to a situation where conflict could be resolved very efficiently. In all instances of conflict, including conflict in the workplace, how we respond to situations where conflict arises is paramount to the well-being of ourselves and others and the business as a whole. This cannot be stressed enough: that is that the way in which we initially respond to conflict has dramatic effects on the conflict itself.
During this course you will examine how conflict arises and how to respond to it. You will get a framework for conflict resolution that can be applied universally, no matter what types of conflict you are faced with. More importantly, you will learn how to manage and ultimately resolve conflict with ability and confidence.
Who should attend?
Those seeking to cultivate the skills necessary for resolving conflict in workplace or personal relationships. For managers who have to resolve conflict among their people and also in their own dealings with others.Duration
2 Days (9:00 am – 5:00 pm)Course Content
- What is conflict?
- What causes of conflict?
- Understanding the different bases of conflicts
- The hazards of fixed positions
- Clarifying the actual aim of all parties involved
- Listening and understanding others’ viewpoints
- The importance of respect for all parties
- Communication and building trust
- The power and intelligence of questions
- The importance of managing yourself and maintaining composure
- The need to be aware, awake, and vigilant
- What motivates our speech? When to speak? When to use silence?
- Removing barriers and dissolving intimidation
- Creating objectivity and leaving the past in the past
- A framework for conflict resolution
- Practical exercises and directions for ongoing development
The Benefits
Having completed this course, you will- Understand how conflicts arise and what maintains and prolongs them
- Know the key to resolving conflict
- Have a framework for conflict resolution that you can use to manage conflicts effectively
- Be equipped to meet difficult people and situations with confidence and capacity
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