How To Effectively Communicate To Resolve Conflicts

All businesses deal with conflict, the key is to ensure that conflict within your business isn’t combative. Many business leaders struggle with conflict, either avoiding it or letting it blow up, because of their own comfort zones. If you’re not comfortable dealing with conflict as it arises it will often influence how you handle that conflict.

To truly connect with others and resolve conflict, we must first be mindful of our own communication habits. Consider these key principles:

• Be Willing to Challenge Your Point of View: Before entering the conversation, pause to consider your perspective. Are you approaching the situation with an open mind, or are you clinging to a fixed viewpoint?
   
• Let Go of Right and Wrong: It's easy to get caught up in proving ourselves right, but this rarely leads to productive outcomes as it shuts down listening and collaboration. Instead, focus on finding common ground and building bridges. You can be 100% right and still add to a conflict.
   
• Listen to Understand, Not to Respond: Actively listen to the other person's perspective, without interrupting or formulating your response. Show empathy and seek to understand their point of view.
   
• Ask to Understand: If you're unsure about someone's meaning, ask clarifying questions. This demonstrates respect and helps to prevent misunderstandings.
   
• Be Aware of Language: Words have the power to both heal and harm. Choose your words carefully and be mindful of how they may be interpreted by others. In addition, understand if you’re letting words make you more defensive or shut down. Be willing to ask questions.
   
• Avoid Making Assumptions: When in doubt, ask clarifying questions. Avoid making assumptions about others' intentions, motivations or feelings. Phrase your assumptions as questions in a way that doesn’t make other parties shut down.
   
• Recontract the Future: Instead of dwelling on past mistakes, focus on moving forward. Let go of grudges and work towards a positive future.

By incorporating these principles into your communication style, you can build stronger relationships with your team, clients, and partners. Remember, effective communication isn't just about what you say, but also how you say it.