Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution begins with good communication.  Most of us are good communicators when we feel happy and close to the other person.  It’s when we have a strong conflict with someone that we learn just how good our skills really are.  People who can communicate well in these situations are very rare.  But, these are the times when good communication is essential.  The key to intimacy, friendship and success in business is the ability to handle conflict successfully.

Take a moment to complete the following conflict style questionnaire:

1. If my neighbors played loud music late at night, I’d bang on the wall until the stopped.

              T    F

 2.  If something I paid a lot of money for broke the day I bought it, I’d get someone else to complain for me.

              T    F

 3.  If I disagree with others, I must always tell them so. 

              T    F

 4.  When I get mad, I  become very quiet.

              T    F

 5.  If someone is rude to me, I am equally rude to them. 

               T    F

 6.  I avoid discussions with people who annoy me.

                T    F

 7.  I often take out my anger on uninvolved third parties. 

                T    F

 8.  I never show anger toward people at work.  

                T    F

 9.  If a waiter spilled sauce in my lap, I would let everyone in the restaurant know how lousy the service was. 

                T    F

 10. I think anger destroys love relationships. 

                T   F

 If you answer TRUE to more odd-numbered items, you are more hot-tempered than most; more even-numbered TRUE answers mean are more afraid of your anger.  The more FALSE responses you gave, the more comfortably you express angry feelings.

If you are comfortable with expressing your feelings – Congratulations!  You are one of just a few who are prepared to handle conflicts.  If you answered with mostly “Trues” and would like some help in improving your skills, contact you EAP for help in becoming a better communicator.

Remember:

Bad communication makes for a bad connection.

Good communication makes for a good connection

And

Good connections are what keep people together.