Applications - Conflicts (1/26/09)

After studying the conflicts chapter, I see the following items most applied in how I do things:

• I'm taking more time after a conflict in how I phrase my response, but I'm also communicating that that is what I am doing. This will hopefully mitigate assumptions that will damage future resolution.
• Passionate conviction is not bad, but there needs to be a method to show others how important a point is other than to stick to it. Give both sides in a conflict the opportunity to articulate how critical certain points are with the proviso that they cannot frame it as it being important to just them. Perhaps that will help sides examine their own points and reveal further issues in both conflict and debate.
• Illustrate forgiveness as something deserved, and without condition. Just saying that you are ending a conflict without reprisal helps future communications, but showing why you forgive can also help the other party understand your reasons better and might even make them reflect again on why they fought your point of view.