What is Conflict Resolution?

What is it?
Conflict is inevitable in every workplace whether it be with a fellow co-worker, a supervisor, or even a client so tools for resolution are important. Conflict resolution is an informal or formal process that two or more parties use to find a peaceful solution while protecting the human rights of all parties. Negotiation, mediation, and diplomacy all use similar tactics to solve the same conflicts. Sometimes a supervisor or third party is needed to mediate, such as a human resources team if a resolution cannot be reached respectfully.
Why Solve Conflict?
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Come to a beneficial agreement about a specific dispute or issue
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Understand more about the values, beliefs, and backgrounds of your opponent
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Gain a new perspective from your opponents point of view
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Grow your relationship with your opponent and gain new community allies
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Avoid wasting resources, time, energy, good reputation, etc.
Goals
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produce solutions everyone agrees to
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work as quickly as possible to find the solution
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improve relationships between the groups in conflict, not hurt
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find new resources and become better at negotation
First Steps to Resolution
Resources
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Understand the conflict
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Communicate
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Brainstorm possible resolutions
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Use a nonbiased mediator
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Explore alternatives
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Cope with stressful situations and pressure tactics
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Choose the best resolution