Conflict Resolution: How to De-Escalate
People experience conflict all the time. Whether it’s conflict with somebody in your personal life or on the job, things can sometimes get out of control. Some people, growing up, didn’t have a good role model to show them out to keep a fight from escalating. While you may feel helpless when the conflicts add up, there are strategies for resolving these situations. Below are a few simple and effective ways you can help de-escalate a conflict.
Adress the Issue
The key to de-escalating conflict is punctuality. The sooner conflict is identified, the more quickly it can be resolved. If you avoid dealing with the problem, the conflict could just get worse with time. It’s okay and sometimes wise to take time to think about the conflict and ways to de-escalate it. However, the more you prolong it, the worse the conflict will get.
Take Time to Breathe
No matter what the conflict may be, if you aren’t able to calm yourself down it will be harder to de-escalate. Our emotions tend to cloud our judgment, so this tip is especially helpful when the conflict involves another person. If somebody makes you mad, take time to breathe in and out and reflect on the situation, because if you’re filled with anger, you won’t be able to deliver an appropriate and effective response.
Take Your Mind Off It
When you find yourself hitting one roadblock after another, it can be a good idea to do something else. Here in Denver, Colorado, we are spoiled with a multitude of options, like hiking, jogging, or mountain biking. During this time, you can ponder how to solve a conflict while doing something good for yourself. Instead of sitting on the couch, reveling in your anger or sadness, engaging in an activity will refresh your mind and give your body a break from thinking. This will enable you to think more critically and efficiently.
Be Honest
Whatever the situation, dishonesty only makes it worse. If there’s a difference in opinion with another person or if you’re procrastinating doing something, dishonesty is a detriment in resolving conflict. When you’re dealing with a conflict, be honest, mature and consider the greater good of the people around you. Take time to honestly analyze how you may be contributing to the conflict.
Conflicts in everyday life are normal, but not knowing how to deal with them will cause you to suffer. In order to ease your mind, you must focus on de-escalating one conflict at a time. Remember to breathe, take a break, keep calm, use effective phrases and always be honest in order to resolve the conflicts you encounter in your personal life, at work and elsewhere.
