Six Tips For Engaging in Conflict Without Destroying One Another

2) Know Your Style

There are five styles of conflict resolution. All of these are good. All of them. And it is not that you are one of these styles, it is just that you prefer one of these styles. If you can make yourself aware of which of these you prefer and which your opposition prefers, it will help you understand where one another is coming from.

The five conflict resolution styles are:

· Competition: It’s a boxing match. There is one winner and one loser. And I want to win!

· Accommodation: Fine. Have it your way! This style is willing to ‘lose’ the competition in order to end the conflict.

· Compromise: There is a middle ground. Each person gives a little and each takes a little.

· Avoidance: When things get tense, hide. Avoiders run from conflict, sometimes because they don’t see the value and sometimes because they sense it won’t be fruitful

· Collaborating: Find a way to win-win. Work together until both parties feel as though they have achieved something without loosing anything

All of these can be good and all of them can be bad. They all have their place and they all have aspects that might escalate conflict.