Conflict Resolution
Disagreements happen all the time. Wherever you are, whether it’s at school, at home, or even at the martial arts studio, you will likely face a conflict at some point in time. It is important to remember that this is a natural part of life. You can have conflicts with people you love and people you don’t like very much, but what really counts is how you resolve these conflicts.
Why Do Conflicts Happen?
The first step to resolving any conflict is understanding why it happened in the first place. It’s ok to have a different opinion! We are all human, so we all have different ideas and thoughts we may want to share. This is where your experience with respect comes into play.
Even if you have a disagreement with someone, once you show them respect, you should be able to avoid hurtful conflicts. Sharing opinions like this can be very constructive and help turn a good idea into a great idea.
However, sometimes conflicts are unavoidable. Maybe you got too hotheaded and said something hurtful, or maybe someone said something to hurtful to you. At this point, we need to practice good conflict resolution skills to help get everyone back on track.
Good Conflict Resolution
When you notice a conflict, your first response should be conflict resolution. If you are part of the disagreement, you should take a moment to think about your words before you share them. Being calm and composed can help you avoid making the conflict worse. If you are too excited, step away from the conflict to collect your thoughts.
If communicating with the person you disagree with is not helping to resolve the conflict, you should look for an authority figure like your martial arts teacher to help you. They will listen to both sides of the disagreement and help you reach a fair resolution.
Poor Conflict Resolution
When disagreements become too heated, both people may begin to say things that are hurtful. It is sometimes easy to start name-calling or be mean, but there is no winner in these conflicts. Remember, conflicts happen when two people disagree about something, so always stick to the disagreement and don’t let your emotions distract you.
It is always important to solve your conflicts with words, even in a martial arts studio. Never let a conflict become physical or turn into a fight. This does not solve the root cause of the conflict, and just because someone may be stronger, does not mean they are right. Always stand up for yourself but do it respectfully and peacefully when possible.
The Importance of Conflict Resolution
Conflict resolution is about solving problems together. By learning to share your ideas productively, you can help build good teamworking skills and become a great leader in the future. Good conflict resolution is the key to finding success and maintaining healthy relationships with your friends, family, and the new people you meet every day. There will always be conflicts, but only you can choose to have good conflict resolutions.
