Conflict Management Articles

1). Dealing with Your Difficult People By : Terry Paulson, PhD
For leaders managing constant change, conflict is built into the very fabric of their organizations. When conflict is not dealt with well, it can create strained relationships and grow to sap the time, energy, and productivity of even the best teams. Dealt with positively, conflict can also be a catalyst that sets the stage for needed changes. You will never deal with conflict perfectly, but here are a few tips worth using in dealing with your most difficult people: 1.
Article Related to: conflict, difficult people, bridge building, enemies, selective screening, caring enough to confront, conflict management, change management, resistence, discipline, problem solving, avoidance

2). Advocate Respectfully By : Judy Ringer
This is one of a series of brief articles on holding difficult conversations. In earlier issues of Ki Moments, I suggested ways to open communications that create mutual respect; we talked about the importance of knowing your purpose for the conversation; and we added Inquiry and Curiosity to our conversational toolbox. Here the topic is Advocacy. Advocacy is the flip side of Inquiry – the opportunity that you open for yourself to tell your story.
Article Related to: assertiveness, communication skills, holding difficult conversations, respect, advocacy, managing emotions, anger management, conflict management, aikido

3). Don't Quarrel, Work Out Your Conflict Styles By : Ron Kraybill
Your conflict management style is your particular way of responding to conflict with others. Life experience causes all of us to acquire preferences and habits of how to respond to conflict and we tend to use these over and over again. This is is your conflict management style. What you should know about conflict management styles. 1. You function better if you know what your preferred styles are.
Article Related to: conflict resolution, relationships, advice, conflict management, thomas kilmann, negotiation

4). Centering Defined: What, How and Why? By : Judy Ringer
What is center? How do you choose to be centered, and why? In what ways can you develop a strong center? As a student and instructor of the Japanese martial art Aikido, and as a professional speaker and trainer, I often present on this topic and, in addition, have made centering a life practice. I say practice, because that is what it takes to access the Center State on purpose.
Article Related to: centering, how to center oneself, aikido, managing emotions, anger management, deep breathing, conflict management, communication skills

5). The Greatest Gift By : Judy Ringer
"Go ahead, Judy, talk to your father. What do you want to say?" With these words offered by my favorite Aunt Mimi, I was given the greatest gift—the gift of myself. Mimi and I had gone on an aunt-niece shopping adventure, and at age 15, I became the proud owner of my first mini-skirt. Upon seeing it, my dad hit the roof, and as usual, I was angry, scared, and tongue-tied.
Article Related to: holding difficult conversation, assertiveness, family dynamics, holidays, christmas, gifts, self-awareness, centering, aikido, managing emotions, anger management, conflict management, communication skills

6). Holiday "Ki" Moments: Choosing Your Best Self By : Judy Ringer
"I like to think of myself as an artist, and my life is my greatest work of art. Every moment is a moment of creation, and each moment of creation contains infinite possibilities. I can do things the way I've always done them, or I can look at all the different alternatives, and try something new and different and potentially more rewarding. Every moment presents a new opportunity and a new decision.
Article Related to: holidays, christmas, gifts, self-awareness, centering, aikido, managing emotions, anger management, deep breathing, conflict management, communication skills

7). Breathing: The Way Back to Balance By : Judy Ringer
“If you don’t like what’s happening in your life, change your mind.” This brief quotation from the Dalai Lama reminds me that my experience of life changes as I do. As I change, I change the way I influence - and am influenced by - my surroundings. How are you inventing your life today? How does the way you think affect your actions? And how might you become more aware of the process? A centering breath is a place to start.
Article Related to: deep breathing, centering, aikido, managing emotions, anger management, conflict management, communication skills, life skills

8). Knowing When I'm Not: 4 Suggestions for Developing a Strong Center By : Judy Ringer
The more I practice centering, the more I realize that as important as it is to be able to identify and access the centered state, it is equally important to be able to know when I'm NOT centered. Otherwise, how do I choose? When I'm centered I'm in control of my behavior. Centered action is on purpose and by choice. Uncentered action is reactive and out of control, and I end up looking back with regret.
Article Related to: centering, the centered state, how to center oneself, aikido, self-awareness, managing emotions, anger management, deep breathing, conflict management, communication skills

9). Keeping Conflict in Perspective By : Judy Ringer
A friend told me about a conflict she was having with her next door neighbor. Due to a misunderstanding the neighbor was pretty upset, so much so that when they passed on the street and my friend said hello and reached out to shake his hand, he withdrew it, avoided eye contact, muttered a monotone “hi” and quickly walked past her. She felt like she’d been punched in the stomach.
Article Related to: conflict, conflict management, communication, breathe, balance

10). Diversity Means They Will Be Different By : Jeanie Marshall
What does diversity mean to you? Often "diversity" is used to connote a particular ratio of the two genders or racial representation, and it can mean so much more.
Article Related to: diversity, differences, management, conflict, conflict management, male, female, racial difference

11). Policies and Procedures with Customer Focus By : Thomas Fox
Policies and Procedures are often in direct conflict with what the customer wants. Working together effectively means that all policies and procedures should be perfectly lined up with and function in support with customer needs, not to be in conflict.
Article Related to: collaboration, conflict management, work productivity, job satisfaction, leadership effectiveness

12). Conflict: Beneficial or Just Risky Business By : Melissa Vokoun
The stereotype that conflict is always detrimental is coming under attack from many researchers. There is a growing school of thought that conflict can stimulate an energetic and dynamic working environment that shakes apathy and compliancy to its core. However, there is an equally vocal group that finds conflict is always dysfunctional and its consequences can far outweigh any potential benefits.
Article Related to: conflict management, conflict, human resources