1.3 What is Conflict Resolution?

GUIDING QUESTIONS: 

  • What is conflict resolution? 
  • What techniques can I use to resolve conflict? 
  • Why should I use my conflict resolution skills?


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HANDOUT 1 COPY: CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Conflict resolution is an important skill to use both in school and outside of school. A conflict is a serious disagreement or argument with someone; resolution is the act of solving the problem. Conflicts are a part of life, especially when people are working together on a project; it can be a good thing. But if conflicts are not resolved, teamwork can suffer, and it becomes harder to succeed in developing a product together. 

Strategies to help resolve conflict: 

  • Being aware of the conflict is the first step to resolving it. Consider what the problem may be. 
  • Talk to the other person. First, make sure you are calm enough to talk, then take turns. If you are not ready to talk, take a walk or get a drink of water. Listen closely and do not interrupt when others are speaking. 
  • Focus on the problem, not on the other person. For example, you might say, “I don’t like it when I am interrupted,” instead of “I don’t like you speaking.” 
  • Often conflicts can be resolved by compromising (meeting halfway). In compromising, you find a solution you can both agree on.
  • Make sure to use appropriate language throughout your conversation (see below). 
  • If you can’t resolve the conflict, talk to a teacher or another adult about the issue. 

DO NOT

  • Name-call or say hurtful words to the person.
  • Gossip about the person to someone else. 
  • Exclude the person from the group. 

Phrases to help resolve conflit

How you say things and the language you use in conflict resolution are important. It is hard to resolve conflict if you are using hurtful or attacking language. Here are some examples of appropriate phrases you can use.

Elaborate:

  • “Tell me more….”
  • “How do you know?” 
  • “Can you say more about that?” 
  • “What do you think that?”


If you agree: 

  • “That makes sense because….”
  • “That’s true because….” 
  • “I somewhat agree with what you are saying. “ 


If you disagree: 

  • “I understand what you’re saying, but I have a different opinion/point of view.” 
  • “I understand how you are thinking, but this is how I am thinking.” 
  • “I somewhat disagree with what you said because….” 



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