Managing Conflict in Relationships - EDUC 6165-6

·         Think about any disagreements, or conflicts, you have recently experienced or are currently experiencing at work with a supervisor or colleague, or someone in your personal life. Share at least two strategies you have learned about that might help you manage or resolve the conflict more productively, and why these strategies might be effective. For example, could you suggest a compromise? Could you look for a broader range of solutions to your disagreement? Could you use some of the principles of nonviolent communication or the 3 R's to better help you resolve this conflict?

When you're married, or honestly when you spend a large amount of time with anyone there are bound to be disagreements.  And if there are not, then there is a strong possibility that someone isn't telling the truth or is keeping their mouth closed about it.  This week within our home has been stressful.  We have two children, both in graduate school, both are teachers, and this week is our Spring performance for my school as well as I'm in charge of Week of The Young Child at my facility.  I've been stressed at work because of communication barriers between certain teachers within the building and lately it's been more and more often.  Who better to take out these stresses than . . . Yup you guessed it  my husband.  I'm irritable.  I'm cranky.  I've got so much to do.  And everything, every little thing he does bothered me.  Usually this isn't true.  You see, I have one of the most supportive husbands anyone could ask for!  He cleans the bathrooms every weekend, he washes the laundry and puts it away every weekend so that way I can concentrate on school work those days.  He's amazing!   Darell, my husband is a classic escapist.  He avoids conflict at all costs.  He looks the opposite way of confrontation where I steer it in the eyes to end it (or in this case attempt to start it). 

I realized I was being obnoxious, rude, and inappropriate.  When I did, I went to him and apologized and reminded him of how thankful I am for what he does for our family.  How his support means the world to me.  We spoke about how I needed to focus on my issue at hand which was how I had too much on my plate and what could we do together in order to resolve it. 

·         Also, if appropriate, ask your colleagues for their input and advice regarding, if not specific problems, how they have learned to be more effective communicators as it relates to conflict resolution skills.

(Adapted from O'Hair & Wiemann, 2012, p. 246)

Co-worker #1 - Better communication can only happen if all parties involved want to change things.  If only one person does then they will just become more frustrated because they will try and get nowhere since the other one isn't trying at all.

Co-worker #2 - I found sitting down with our Director helps to have a third party look at the problem as a person not involved in it.  Sometimes when I can't find a compromise just listening to myself sound stupid as I debate it with another will make me change my mind.

Co-worker #3 - Usually it's a waste of time because people are too set in their ways.  Learn to deal with it or figure out how to change it.  I just deal with it.