How to Manage Conflict
No matter who you are, we all dislike CONFLICT.
Having to bring up something difficult with another person, being blunt and honest or giving hard to hear criticism, are all things we’d MUCH rather run away from and avoid.
And avoid we do…
until it comes back even more potent, and then there’s a big lash out and argument which could’ve been avoided if the conflict was nipped in the bud early.
If there’s one resource I’d recommend for managing conflict, it’d be this:
Savvy Psychologist - Episode 13 ‘How to Stop Avoiding Conflict’
It’s only 10 minutes, and they give 10 practical tips to face conflict head on. Plus, there’re some useful phrases for how to bring up issues with someone else (without it being awkward):
- “I need your help with something, do you have a minute?”
- “Can I bounce an idea off of you?”
- “I have a question for you.”
- “Can I tell you something which I think will be helpful for us both?”
Also, other key takeaways are:
- Tough conversations only work if both people win (ie. not trying to prove you’re ‘right’ and saying things like “well technically you didn’t say it like that…”)
- Make the tough conversation about the shared GOAL (ie it’s you and the other person vs the problem, not you vs the other person)
It’s such a good episode, listen to it and feel your brain cells expand!
