Conflict resolution series: identifying the sources of conflict

1. Conflict resolution series: identifying the sources of conflict Conflict Resolution Series University Life Cafe

2. The challenge • Sometimes, conflicts seem to erupt out of nowhere. Rarely do conflicts truly stem from nothing. Rather, there are underlying differences and understandings that may lead to conflicts. • One critical part of addressing conflicts is to understand the underlying differences and ideas that may feed the disagreements. • After the emotions have cooled from a conflict, it is critical to understand what led to the disagreements and how to address the differences. Conflict Resolution Series

3. attributions • Usually, in a conflict, all sides have perceptions and ideas about what happened and what led to it. What is harder to find are the actual underlying reasons. • Attributional errors tend to be quite rampant, particularly when people’s emotions are high or there’s a lot at stake. Conflict Resolution Series

4. Opening up communications • One strategy for understanding the underlying sources of a conflict is to open up formal and informal communications with the various stakeholders. Conflict Resolution Series

5. Learning and gathering information • It may help to learn about the other stakeholders. It will be important to gather information about them. Conflict Resolution Series

6. Self-awareness • It is important to understand what the sources of the conflict are from one’s own side or one’s stakeholders. What values or interests were contravened? What are the perceptions? • What is the “authorizing environment” in terms of what is negotiable and what isn’t? • It is critical to be aware of one’s own self-interests and the importance of each aspect. • It helps to define the values and principles that are important for a negotiated solution. Conflict Resolution Series

7. Understanding of others’ interests • How would the stances of the other sides be evaluated and understood in terms of resources? In terms of others’ interests? • How flexibly may others negotiate based on their resources? Their authorizing environment? Their culture? Their attitudes? Conflict Resolution Series

8. Perceptual issues • How do the various stakeholders in a conflict perceive each other? • How have these perceptions formed? • How may these perceptions be addressed to help the group negotiate more effectively? • Do perceptions have an important role in the conflict? If so, how so? And how may this practically be addressed? Conflict Resolution Series

9. Fundamental differences / points of agreement • Where are the main fissures in the relationships? • Where are the main differences in interests? --- • What are the shared interests between the stakeholders? • How may shared interests be built upon to work towards a negotiated agreement? Conflict Resolution Series

10. Game changers • In negotiations, new information may be a game changing. • Different frameworks of how to approach an issue may be a game-changer. • Being open to flexible negotiations without compromising core values or core interests will be important for a solution that works and that lasts. Conflict Resolution Series

11. Connection to counseling services • Counseling ServicesKansas State University232 English/Counseling Services BldgManhattan, KS 66506-6503785-532-6927counsel@k-state.edu Conflict Resolution Series