10 Tips for Managing Conflict at Work or Home

In honor of the GFWC ILLINOIS annual conference at the President Lincoln Hotel here in Springfield, IL today and tomorrow, I thought I would put my suggestions in writing for future reference. I am honored to be asked to speak on Conflict although like most it's not my favorite subject. Nor am I an expert as I have my own unresolved conflict currently brewing that I should take my own advice on. However, in human resources you often have to be a mediator of conflict between coworkers and manager/employee disagreements. 

So unless you are the king of conflict denial or the queen of pushing conflict under the rug, you may have a desire to fix your conflict situation at the earliest possible time. If not you should. Life is too short to live with conflict. If you don't have a desire to resolve, then get ready for the big explosion that is bound to happen sooner or later. You can be sure someone will get hurt post explosion because things are almost always said that is not meant the way it comes out or is taken. 

Some studies say we are about 75% responsible for how others treat us. If the emotion is negative then most likely some of that responsibility is in your reaction to the situation. If you are a person who tends to allow others to treat you in a way that causes inward or outward conflict, it may be time to put them in their place and make them think twice about doing it again. Of course I don't mean to do this in a negative way because what does that do? It feeds the fire and causes more conflict. So here is a quick list of suggestions I recommend based on my own experience, education, and practice resolving conflict. 

1. Use Your Words - you cannot resolve anything without expressing how it makes you feel. The key word here is you as in "I".  Choose words that will express but not shame or blame the other person.
2. Seek First to Understand Then to Be Understood - this is one of the best Steven Covey habits for exceptional people. If you are always trying to be right and never care to understand the other person(s) point of view resolution is not in your cards.
3. Understand Differences in Perception - just because you see a situation one way doesn't mean others will see it the same as you. Everyone comes from a life of difference and that may be something you are not aware of.
4. Remember It's About Impact Not Intent - take responsibility when someone shares that you may have offended them. You may not intend to hurt them but consider where they are coming from and how they took it. If you threw them a baseball but they got s soccer ball then it's your responsibility to help them see it is a baseball. 
5. Maintain Your Credibility and Respect - this is especially important when your conflict is in the workplace but it can affect family member relationships for years to come as well when reactions go over the line.
6. What, What and Why? Feedback Framing - this was a tip from a past boss that has always stuck with me and I even use in disciplinary action documentation at times. Explain WHAT happened then go directly in to WHAT could or should have happened in the future (don't focus on past) and WHY this new suggestion is a better response.
7. Restate What You Have Heard - say "What I hear you saying is..." to help the other person understand how you may be perceiving what you said as well as helping you further dive into #2 above.  It's a clarification technique that slows you down from reacting negatively to something that may not have been intended.
8. Gain an Understanding of Emotional Intelligence - the higher your EQ is the better able you will be in managing conflict.  The skills can be learned if you know what they are and how to work on them.  Some are above but there are more.  Free EQ tests are available on the internet.
9. Practice, practice, practice - whether or not you need to practice any of the tips above or something you learn by taking your EQ test, practice it every chance you get.  Set reminders on your phone if you must but keep the ideas on the forefront so you learn to make them a habit when the unexpected happens.
10. Know when to Give yourself a Time Out - there are times that you heart starts to race or your blood pressure rises and you can physically feel the signs that you are about to blow due to conflict.  This is the time to walk away and let the other person know you need some time.  The time is healthy for both sides of the conflict to help give perspective and determine a plan for resolution.  

Even if these suggestion are just reminders of what you already know, I hope it's a good refresher and can help maintain a relationship that may be on the verge of being broken.  Remember, life is too short to carry conflict for long.  Take responsibility now and move forward.  I have lost several loved one's (mom, dad, and brother to name a few) in my life recently who I wish I had hugged one more time than I had fought with them.  Don't have regrets and make a difference in your life and others.