Can’t We All Just Get Along

 The Dictionary Definition – Conflict: A state of opposition between persons or ideas or interests - A very abstract definition. What does conflict mean to you?

 Conflicts are experienced at home, at work, in social settings, and in recreation  As long as you have people living together, working together, meeting deadlines, and making decisions; you will have conflicts

 Let’s Be Honest, Not All Conflict Is Bad Edison vs. Tesla

Edison still retains a reputation as a genius on par with Leonardo DaVinci Tesla’s system is the one we use today, and here he is portrayed by David Bowie with Gollum and Wolverine

 Conflict becomes a problem when there is an issue that prevents the constructive resolution of that conflict - People have the idea that there is always a “winner” and a “loser” in any conflict - Much of the time, all parties involved in a conflict believe their opinion is fact - Both parties perceive all destructive acts carried out by others, completely blind to identical acts carried out by self or those on ‘my’ side

 The Number One Rule of Conflict Resolution: BE NICE

 Communication is one of the keys to conflict resolution  Not all communication is created equal  Texting =/= =/= Phone Call =/= An Actual Face-to Face Conversation

 Active Listening Skills  Flexibility  Willingness to Change  Agree to Disagree

Strong communication skills means you, “seek first to understand, then to be understood.”

 Active Listening Techniques  Attending  Paraphrasing  Asking / Clarifying  Encouraging  Summarizing

 Flexibility There’s a general principle of conflict resolution that the more shaky a relationship is the more flexible individuals will have to be to resolve conflict in a way that preserves relationships

 Agree to Disagree You might not change someone’s mind or change their opinions about a conflict, but that doesn’t mean an agreement can’t be reached

 Willingness to Change The success of any compromise, accommodation, or arbitration all depend on a person’s willingness to change their behavior

 Mediation is… the intervention of an acceptable and impartial third party in a dispute

 1. Preparation  2. Storytelling  3. Defining Points of Dispute  4. Creating Options  5. Forming an Agreement

 Being able to help people resolve conflict is practically a superpower  Questions? Comments? Thoughts on Life?