Conflict Resolution - Week 5

Robin C. Miller                                                                                           EDUC-6165

Blog Assignment Week 5

            I’ve recently had a bad argument with a good friend of mine over finances. The argument was so intense that we both lost our cool and it caused us to no longer be friends. I know that money shouldn’t ever come between friendships. So, I took it upon myself to be the first to admit my wrongs in the situation. Looking back on all that I have learned this week I see a few strategies that I could have used to make the argument turn into a better conversation. I would use some of the strategies from the Conflict Resolution Network kit. For example, instead of getting defensive early on about the situation I should of used empathetic listening with creative responses to counteract the negative that was being thrown at me. I should have also used to co-operative strategy that clarifies, redirects, finds options, and goes back to the legitimate needs and concerns of the situation. Lastly, I should of managed my emotions differently which would have opened the door for me to begin to negotiate and try and resolve the issue. The most important aspect that I learned about conflict resolution and what to do in any situation is being able respect and value difference.

Just as we are unique and special, so are other people. We all have distinctive viewpoints that may be equally valid from where we stand. Each person's viewpoint makes a contribution to the whole and requires consideration and respect in order to form a complete solution. This wider view can open our eyes to many more possibilities. It may require us to change the mind chatter that says: "For me to be right, others must be wrong" (Conflict Resolution Network., n.d.).

 

References:

Conflict Resolution Network. (n.d.). CR kit. Retrieved from http://www.crnhq.org/pages.phppID=12#skill_3