CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Do you feel that there is too much violence going on in our world today?  What can you do as an individual to help prevent some of that violence?  You can start by learning how to solve your conflicts, arguments, or disagreements in a nonviolent way.   Be aware of your own anger and manage it safely.   These are very important skills to develop.   Remember, violence can be physical, verbal, or sexual.  

 

The following are tips to solve your conflicts  without resorting to violence:  

     

· Get the facts first.   Try not to jump to conclusions.   Get the other person’s side of the story.   Many conflicts arise from misinterpretations and misunderstandings.   Use Active Listening to get the information — pay attention to the other person, ask questions, clarify what you hear the other person say, listen for feelings, and summarize what someone has said to you to check your understanding of the situation.

          

When getting the facts, watch out for communication blockers such as interrupting, sarcasm, accusing/blaming, insulting/name-calling, globalizing, threatening, or changing the subject.   These blockers always make a situation worse.

· Use “I” messages.  “I” messages help you tell someone how you feel without blaming or accusing.   They also let the other person know what you want them to do.   For example: “I feel really angry when you borrow something and return it dirty.   I want you to return my things clean,”  instead of “You are such a pig.   You always return things  dirty.  I’m not ever going to let you borrow anything  ever again!”

· Brainstorm for ideas.  Talk to the other party involved about how you can solve the problem together.   Try to come up with as many ideas as possible — one of them may work.    Try to find something that works for both of you.   Be prepared to compromise or negotiate.   Remember, you may have to give up something in order to get something you want.   Also, sometimes you may just have to agree to disagree.   Not everyone will agree on everything, and that’s OK.

 

For more information call:

 

 

 

 

          

For an emergency, call the Auglaize County Sheriff

At (419) 739-6565 or

(419) 394-5227

 

Sponsored by the Auglaize County Health Department