Conflict Management

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Conflict Management – How do you respond to others..

Your relationship with others will determine how you will be able to influence them..

“The sheep hear his voice, and He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out…He goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.  And a stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of a stranger.”

The Sheep Know their Master Intimately.

The Shepherd knows his sheep and the sheep Trust Him.

They have built an Intimate Relationship.  The sheep follow only their Master.  The Shepherd would not leave even one of His sheep behind.

In both relationships and business conflicts will arise.  How you handle these conflicts is of major importance.

Remember the old adage:  One bad apple will spoil the barrel!  Well it’s true in life as well.  We need to always be seeking after peace and building relationships built upon mutual trust.

Learn to be attuned to disruptions and handle them as soon as possible.  If left unattended they will grow out of portion.

Just as a mother knows her children, it’s important to be open minded and build relationships with your teams and others so that all conflict can be addressed and shut down as soon as possible.

Ten Steps To Ward Off Conflicts:

1.  Always love people more than opinions.

What’s of most importance to you.  Is it helping or hindering your relationships with others?

2.  Be Sure To Always Give Others The benefit Of The Doubt.

Never rule others with your head knowledge.  You must learn to be open.  When working with yourself, use your head, but, when working with others, always use your heart.  Always give the benefit of the doubt.  Never assume!

3.  Flexibility.

Good leaders must learn to say, “I’m sorry.”  Effective leaders will back down.  The greater the man, the more flexible he must become.

4.  Provide A Way Of Escape.

A good leader will back off.  It takes two to tangle.  Fighting is of no value.  The person of value does not have to fight for his own way.  Pride goeth before a fall.  When you’re right, you’re right and when you’re wrong, you’re wrong.  There’s no need for altercation.

It is a strong leader who allows someone who has been defeated to ease out of a situation and save face.

5. Be Sure To Check Your Own Attitude.

Example yourself and your motives.  Is part of the problem You!  Be honest with yourself.  If you’re constantly in conflict, then it’s possible that you are the problem.

6.  Avoid Overreacting to Conflict.

If you expect conflicts, then you will be better prepared to handle them when they come alone. Avoid overreacting at any cost.  If you don’t have anything good to say, then say nothing at all.  Be aware that you do not drop a bomb when all you needed was a slingshot.

7.  Never Become Defensive.

The exact moment that you defend yourself, is the same moment that you stand up for your own rights.  When you do this, be assured that a battle will follow.  Realize that defensiveness will usually make you look guilty, even when you’re not.  The bigger person will say “I’m Sorry” even when it’s not their fault.  Let God handle the battle.  You be prepared to handle yourself.  Seek after Peace.

8.  Always Welcome Conflict.

Use conflict as a learning experience.  A test to see if you will pass by standing “calm”.  Have an attitude of gratitude during and through this conflict.  It’s usually one of God’s methods to see if you’ve grown in a certain area.  If you don’t pass, then I’m sorry to say you will go through it again and again until you pass the test by keeping your peace.

9.  Be Prepared To Take A Risk.

Be prepared to get your feelings and pride hurt.  It comes with the territory.  You can either build a wall around your feelings, or you can take the challenge to let go and let God work in you His will.  You must allow yourself to be vulnerable.  This is not the same as being a door mat.  Balance.  We are to love one another.  In order to grow you must reach out to others in love.  Remember this:  I can love you, but, at the same time I don’t necessary like you.  We may click, but just the same, I have to be willing to help you!

10.  Always Believe In The Value Of Others.

If you want others to grow, you must make yourself available to them when they need you (again Balance, you are not a babysitter.) Some of the happiest people are people builders and changers.  Concentrate on being of value to others and God will concentrate on building your business for you by giving you creative ideas, people, finances, security and love.

Conflict Management starts within you.  It first starts by taking you out of your comfort zone and requiring more of you on a daily basis.  As you release all of these inner conflicts, then you will be able to help, encourage, develop and build up others.  This is what is required of you.  You need others and others need you.

If you enjoyed this article on Conflict Management, “please like and share.”

Angela Valadez

P.S.