Conflict Resolution

"Conflict resolution is conceptualized as the methods and processes involved in facilitating the peaceful ending of conflict and retribution"

The above definition is how conflict resolution is defined on Wikipedia. If we take this definition we may note 3 things on conflict resolution. First the severity of conflicts, second the methods and processes involved in resolution and lastly facilitation and peaceful ending of conflicts. Before we jump into the three points we should first know why is conflict resolution required and more importantly what is conflict resolution and what is a conflict.

So I would like to keep it simple here and define by distinguishing a conflict and ideas by saying there is a difference in opinion and then there is conflicts in opinion. Differences in opinion, ideas, interests is more likely to occur and is very common than conflicts as conflicts tend to be more of a serious and intense form where there may also be clashes involved in conflicts. Conflicts can be due to personal, cultural, racial or even political reasons. Conflicts happen generally where no common agreed point is present or should we say there is no compatible point among the parties which leads to concern grown into serious arguments and many times useless waste of energy and this is where conflict resolution comes in. Conflicts need to be resolved before temperatures go high beyond point of threshold and outcomes are beyond recovery. Hence several techniques are used to resolve conflicts globally. We may come to those techniques in detail some other day but for now coming back to the 3 points noted from the Wikipedia definition.

First that conflicts can vary from simpler to complex nature which is why a resolution is required and that involves processes or series of events. So point taken here is that conflicts should not be taken lightly no matter what is its source, or duration or who the parties are. A light gathering of friends, couples, family can end up in major clashes and separations, similarly short office meetings and organized public processions can lead to terminations, fights and brawls too. In any case one thing is sure and that is a conflict can lead to moral, financial or physical loss and there is no profit whatsoever for any one in it. 

Secondly after identifying a conflict it is important to find ways to resolve it. This is when time and efforts are required. Sometimes conflict resolution requires individual level efforts while other times group level efforts are required to deal with conflicts. We should note and try to recall what is/are the point(s) that generate the trigger to conflict. While in discussions or gatherings we can at least work at our own level to deal conflicts. There is a good saying that "A person should consider environment before speaking". So keeping in mind the atmosphere and the audience is a good thing before slipping any word out of the tongue. A single word can be a blessing for someone and a single word can start a war. So words are really important when it comes to conflicts no matter how basic words are. There are scenarios where words are not making much a difference, in such cases it is best to give sometime to breath and let the conflict cool down with time. As sometimes only by giving more time to think and re-think conflicts get resolved. Sometimes conflicts arouse due to miscommunications, which need to be identified. In these cases it is also better to give time for thinking. 

Lastly it is often seen that parties are willing to deal with conflict but are unable to show their desire or unable to deal directly, this is where facilitating conflict resolution comes in. It is best sometimes  play helping hand in a way that no ones personal space is occupied and conflict is also resolved. Common interests or universally known actions or activities can also be considered for resolution like hosting a meal, conducting sporting event, going out shopping or movies. Sometimes it is also good to consider two parties favorite interests and propose each other to do something related to those interests in order create harmony and peaceful ending.

I hope conflict and conflict resolution is some what understandable by now. Please share your thoughts on it or any conflict event which you may have experienced and how it ended, also let me know if correction is required or further content should be added in this post.

Peace.