Conflict Resolution Understanding Conflict

Conflict is all around us. It is not something that we can choose to have or not have. It just is. Conflict is all around us. It is not something that we can choose to have or not have. It just is. It may center on something as seemingly trivial as who leaves their dirty cups in the sink, where to go eat lunch, or whether or not to buy that new piece of stereo equipment. It may center on something as seemingly trivial as who leaves their dirty cups in the sink, where to go eat lunch, or whether or not to buy that new piece of stereo equipment.

Understanding Conflict Or it may be more complex, such as whether we should invest in stock or bonds, or what college your child should attend to get the best education. Or it may be more complex, such as whether we should invest in stock or bonds, or what college your child should attend to get the best education.

Understanding Conflict This course is not about avoiding conflict. Avoiding it is not only impossible but undesirable. This course is not about avoiding conflict. Avoiding it is not only impossible but undesirable. This course is about discovering productive ways of handling conflict, ways that make a difference in all areas of our lives. This course is about discovering productive ways of handling conflict, ways that make a difference in all areas of our lives.

Understanding Conflict Conflict can be considered: Conflict can be considered: Fight Fight Disagreement Disagreement War War Difference of opinion or perspective; such as between a mechanic and inspector. Difference of opinion or perspective; such as between a mechanic and inspector. Differences in personality Differences in personality

Understanding Conflict Think of a conflict which has been handled in a destructive manner…Some of the resulting outcomes of this were probably: Think of a conflict which has been handled in a destructive manner…Some of the resulting outcomes of this were probably: Tension Tension Unresolved Problems Unresolved Problems Stress Stress Low Productivity Low Productivity Sour Relationships Sour Relationships Ill Health Ill Health Resentment Resentment

Understanding Conflict Now think of a conflict that has been handled constructively. Some results of this may have been: Now think of a conflict that has been handled constructively. Some results of this may have been: Relaxation Relaxation Higher Productivity Higher Productivity Good Health Good Health Sense of Achievement Sense of Achievement Increased Confidence Increased Confidence Expanding Friendly Relations Expanding Friendly Relations

Understanding Conflict We have all had the experiences of handling conflict both constructively and destructively. The outcomes of conflicts handled constructively are so much more attractive that it is hard to imagine we would settle for less. We have all had the experiences of handling conflict both constructively and destructively. The outcomes of conflicts handled constructively are so much more attractive that it is hard to imagine we would settle for less.

Understanding Conflict There are several stages we can go through before we reach the level of conflict. There are several stages we can go through before we reach the level of conflict.

Understanding Conflict Levels of Conflict Discomfort

Understanding Conflict Levels of Conflict - Discomfort Perhaps nothing is said as yet, however things don’t feel right. Perhaps nothing is said as yet, however things don’t feel right. It maybe difficult at this stage to identify what the problem is. It maybe difficult at this stage to identify what the problem is.

Understanding Conflict Levels of Conflict Discomfort Incident

Understanding Conflict Levels of Conflict - Incident A short sharp exchange may occur without any lasting internal reaction. A short sharp exchange may occur without any lasting internal reaction. Something may have occurred between you and someone else that has left you upset, irritated or with a result you did not want. Something may have occurred between you and someone else that has left you upset, irritated or with a result you did not want.

Understanding Conflict Levels of Conflict Discomfort Incident Misunderstanding

Understanding Conflict Levels of Conflict -Misunderstanding The details of a situation may be unclear. The motive or intent of a situation not fully understood by the parties involved. The details of a situation may be unclear. The motive or intent of a situation not fully understood by the parties involved.

Understanding Conflict Levels of Conflict Discomfort Incident Misunderstanding Tension

Understanding Conflict Level of Conflict - Tension You may start feeling anxious about your relationship with the other person. You may start feeling anxious about your relationship with the other person. Maybe you are at the point where just one more nudge will “push you over the edge”, ready to give them a “piece of your mind”. Maybe you are at the point where just one more nudge will “push you over the edge”, ready to give them a “piece of your mind”. This level may build to the point where each interaction with this person confirms your negative attitude towards them. This level may build to the point where each interaction with this person confirms your negative attitude towards them. The relationship may become a cause for constant worry and concern. The relationship may become a cause for constant worry and concern.

Understanding Conflict Levels of Conflict Discomfort Incident Misunderstanding Tension Crisis

Understanding Conflict Levels of Conflict – Crisis Behavior is affected and normal functioning starts to become difficult. Behavior is affected and normal functioning starts to become difficult. No longer talking to the other individual. No longer talking to the other individual. Or conversely, screaming at one another. Or conversely, screaming at one another. Quitting your job or worse yet be dismissed. Quitting your job or worse yet be dismissed. Throw china, or whatever else is close at hand. Throw china, or whatever else is close at hand. Divorce Divorce

Understanding Conflict Levels of Conflict Discomfort Incident Misunderstanding Tension Crisis Stay Alert

Understanding Conflict Levels of Conflict – Stay Alert As you can see we want to avoid ever getting to the “crisis” stage. As you can see we want to avoid ever getting to the “crisis” stage. We should always be on the look out for clues at the discomfort and incident level. We should always be on the look out for clues at the discomfort and incident level. Dealing with conflict at these levels is much easier than at crisis stage, where emotions are running high. Dealing with conflict at these levels is much easier than at crisis stage, where emotions are running high. By working on solving the issue at the discomfort level we have a greater chance of achieving a constructive rather than destructive outcome. By working on solving the issue at the discomfort level we have a greater chance of achieving a constructive rather than destructive outcome.

Understanding Conflict Summary Discovered what conflict is and learned the various levels at which it develops. Discovered what conflict is and learned the various levels at which it develops. Learned to look for the early clues to conflict, and to stay alert and be ready to act, if and when appropriate. Learned to look for the early clues to conflict, and to stay alert and be ready to act, if and when appropriate. One should greet conflict in a positive way, ready to learn something new or improve on relationships. One should greet conflict in a positive way, ready to learn something new or improve on relationships.

Credit We wish to thank the Conflict Resolution Network for their generous donation of materials used in the creation of this presentation. We wish to thank the Conflict Resolution Network for their generous donation of materials used in the creation of this presentation. Conflict Resolution Network PO Box 1016, Chatswood NSW 2057 Phone: +61 (0) Fax: +61 (0) Website: Conflict Resolution Network PO Box 1016, Chatswood NSW 2057 Phone: +61 (0) Fax: +61 (0) Website:

Credit This course was created by AMFA Local 11 to assist in the education of its Professional Standards Committee members. This course was created by AMFA Local 11 to assist in the education of its Professional Standards Committee members. Permission to use this material is granted to any AMFA Local. Permission to use this material is granted to any AMFA Local. This course was created using materials provided by The Conflict Resolution Network. Permission has been extended to use this material providing credit remains intact on all modules. This course was created using materials provided by The Conflict Resolution Network. Permission has been extended to use this material providing credit remains intact on all modules.