The current events which took place in Libya over the past couple of days, have not only created a dangerous climate for everyday citizens of the country, and killed innocent lives, but have also catapulted the malicious reign of medieval religious conflicts across the globe.
You have read various articles on conflict in the workplace and the facets and dynamics of all other conflicts are not much different. Conflict just seems to be a fact of life. There will always be situations where different people with different goals and needs have to co-exist.
So, the fact that conflict exists, is not necessarily a bad thing. This is given, that it is resolved effectively. In many cases, effective conflict resolution can make the difference between very positive or very negative outcomes.
Resolving conflict successfully, could lead to Increased understanding, Increased group cohesion, and Improved knowledge.
The unfortunate truth is that most individual revert to their instinctual ways or their “gut feelings” when it comes to conflict. Aggression is a human instinct. It takes a trained mind and one that is educated to cognitively process a dislike of value, resources, ideas etc. and to perceive it in a non-threatening, non-judgmental way. Hence, the bloody wars all over the globe whether based on religion, or land or whatever agenda there may exist. The bottom-line is that conflict to many resembles the loss of power rather than an opportunity for growth or understanding.
A theory in conflict resolution commonly referred to as the “Interest-Based Relational (IBR) Approach” teaches one to respect individual differences while helping people avoid becoming too entrenched in a fixed position.
Here are the underlying rules to be a player in this type of conflict resolution “game”:
- Good relationships are the first priority
- Keep people and problems separate
- Pay attention to the interests that are being presented
- Listen first; talk second
- Set out the “Facts”
- Explore options for mutual satisfaction
Although it may seem that the killings in Libya and the uprising in Egypt are a lot more complicated than this. The reality is we sometimes make things more complicated than they need to be. Our perceptions form our decision-making. To make good decisions, prior to conflict situations, one must have the ground rules for engagement, so that when the “storm” comes we use sound judgment rather than our instincts. Gut feelings may be good in certain times, but in conflict, gut feelings are better left in the Wild.
