Presentation 4.3: Conflict Resolution

Outline Why is there conflict? How can problems be prevented?  With communication skills  With altering the situation Strategies for natural resource professionals Summary

What causes conflict?

Sources of conflicts People don’t understand  Misconceptions  Language barriers People aren’t listening People have different opinions People have different interests People are afraid

If people don’t understand Engage them in conversation  Discover the source of the misunderstanding  Use a common language  Allow them to express fears and concerns  Listen  Take on an attitude of solving this problem together

If people aren’t listening Explore their existing understandings Ask about constraints and barriers Explore their attitudes and opinions Win their trust Use their interests to win their attention

If opinions are different Identify the underlying causes of the disagreement Identify the common ground Use that common vision to promote continued discussions Search for new solutions that accommodate multiple perspectives

If interests are different Identify those things all parties agree on Identify where people agree that information is lacking Identify where people agree information is conflicting Develop a strategy to collect more data they will all trust = Joint Fact Finding

If people are afraid Keep lines of communication open Ask people what they fear Work to reduce those things that generate fear Model good listening skills

Strategies for natural resource professionals Understand the conflict  Work hard to understand all perspectives.  Explore the underlying interests. Identify common ground  On what things do all parties agree? Start there.

Your role What is the best role for you and your agency?  Can you become helpful to all sides?  Can you conduct a fact-finding activity to provide information that all parties trust? Do you need help?  An outside negotiator may be needed

What can you do? Keep communication going  Talk to leaders of each party to make sure everyone knows what is going on  Be a good listener Learn where compromise is possible  Know where your agency can bend and where a rule is firm

Work with media Recognize that media thrive on conflict and extremes, not conflict resolution Build a relationship with a reporter Encourage the media to report on areas of potential compromise

Conflict in the Florida Keys Community wanted a new school; the agency opposed the site New leader wrote editorials in the paper, joined and spoke to the Chamber of Commerce, established a Friends group – built relationships

The Up Side Conflict is an opportunity to change the system to better meet the needs  allows new concerns to be heard  brings new ideas to the table  builds partnerships  clarifies goals and missions  addresses inequalities

Exercise 4.9: Working with Conflicts

Exercise 4.9 Discussion Questions Discuss your scenario  What are the positions of the parties?  What are the interests of the parties?  What can everyone agree on?  How could disagreements be resolved?  What could you do to assist in the resolution of this conflict?

Summary Conflicts occur in the wildland-urban interface All require communication, listening, and willingness to understand Some may be resolved by changing locations, rescheduling activities, compromising, being flexible

Credits Slide 4: Solutions Coaching and Consulting website Slide 7: University for Peace website Slide 14: Slides 1, 5, 6, 15: Larry Korhnak