Cooperative Conflict

Is there such a thing? Yes!

Everyday people find themselves in conflict ranging from minor discomfort to major confrontations. Conflict can be constructive or destructive, it can be creative or restricting, it can be positive or negative.

Conflict is whatever

we

make of it.

Conflict is an opportunity. It is an opportunity to:

• find out what really matters to you
• get in touch with your core values
• learn more about yourself and others
• broaden your worldview
• stimulate healthy change
• transform disagreements into conversations
• build self-confidence and resilience
• learn to express yourself honestly
• learn to never hear criticisms, judgements and labels again
• create genuine cooperation in your relationships
• bring creativity into your problem solving

Learning to resolve conflict cooperatively can support:

• Your career. Learning how to resolve conflict effectively contributes to your career success.
• Your business. Good interpersonal relationships contribute to engaged employees, creativity and productivity. And the hidden costs of organizational conflict can be higher than you think.
• Your marriage. Partners’ abilities to respond effectively to each other makes a difference in relationship health and longevity.
• Your children. You have the power to transform patterns of conflict with and between your children.
• Your friendships. The way you give and receive comfort during difficult situations makes a difference.
• Your health. Hostility in relationships affects heart health, among other health implications of poorly managed conflict such as stress, high blood pressure and exhaustion.
• Your peace of mind. You can learn how to let go of anger, unresolved conflict and move on with a fulfilling life.

Well, I’d like to take this opportunity to share some of my learnings in NVC Mediation and shamelessly launch myself as a Conflict Coach.

Over the next few weeks I will explore issues, fears, beliefs around conflict. I will invite you to explore:

• Your own relationship with conflict. Is it something you avoid or do you love a good fight?
• Key questions for conflict clarity – what’s this really about?
• How your past has impacted on how you deal with conflict now? What is your personal history with conflict?
• How can self-awareness influence current situations? Keeping your balance when emotions are strong.
• How to stay focused on what this conflict is really about.
• Conflict as learning