Conflict, whether in the workplace or in our personal lives, is stressful. Conflict can bring up strong emotions and even create body tension.
Stress can come from the frustrations and anger around unresolved conflict. We want to be able to manage our unpleasant emotions during conflict to be able to respond positively. If we let stress take its toll then we will find ourselves with little energy or positive emotion to bring to the situation.
To be able to manage our energy is to be able to more easily resolve the conflict while taking care of ourselves.
Stress limits our ability to think and communicate clearly and reduces our awareness of our feelings. It also prevents us from listening and engaging with others as effectively as we can, which may lead to more problems.
Rather than making conflict a choice between winning or losing, make the priority a creative and mutually beneficial resolution.
When we focus on a mutual...