Steem4nigeria Accelerator Contest Week 41: Navigating Through Conflicts

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Back in the days, in secondary school, we had a subject called Civic Education and there we were taught many things about the society and how to adapt to it. In this subject, we were taught a topic known as "Conflict Resolution".

Conflict Resolution is the process of managing and addressing disputes, disagreement or contradictions between organizations, individuals or groups to find a friendly acceptable solution to the issue or compromise. Conflict Resolution has many aims and so we shall be discussing the topic "Navigating Through" as the theme for the Steem4nigeria accelerator contest week 41.

First of all, what is Conflict?? Conflict is a mutual disagreement, contradictions or disputes between two individuals, organizations or entities that leads to a clash or opposition. Conflicts can arise from various sources and forms.

Managing to stay calm during an argument or conflict, there are certain skills that needs to be present . These skills or rather attributes includes, emotional intelligence, self awareness, and effective communication skills. With these skills, we can stay calm during an argument by

• Using non confrontational language.
• Create physical distance between the other party to avoid exchanging fists or attack incoming.
• Before responding to any words or speech , take a deep breath and calm your nervous system.
• Practice mindfulness and avoid using accusatory words.

Staying calm during an argument, doesn't mean you're avoiding the issue, it means that you're choosing to manage your emotions and make communication effectively to resolve the conflict amicably

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Listening carefully during a disagreement is important for several for the following reasons below;

• Understanding: Listening helps you to understand the other person's perspective, their concerns, and their needs.
• Avoids miscommunication: Careful listening reduces the risk of misunderstanding or misinterpreting the other person's point of expression or view.
• Builds Trust: Value and respect will be shown when you actively listen to other person's thoughts and opinion.
• Encourages open communication: Both parties will feel comfortable to Express their thoughts and opinions when there is presence of active listening.

In navigating through conflicts, understanding someone's else feelings helps in resolving conflicts in several ways. The ways include;

• Reduces tension: Recognizing and understanding the second parties feelings can help dilute tension and calm the present situation.
• Builds Trust: When you show that you care about the other person's feeling, trust and togetherness are built, creating a more amicable conflict management environment.
• Facilitates Compromise: Mutual compromises and acceptable solutions can be found when you consider the other person's feeling which makes act of resolving conflicts easier.
• Resolves Emotional conflict: Understanding feelings helps to iron out emotional conflicts, which often support surface-level issues, leading to more lasting solutions

By understanding the feelings of the other person you can be able to create a more steady and supportive conflict resolution/management process, leading to more lasting and effective solutions in times of conflicts..

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It can be very challenging for one to control his/her anger during an argument. But here are several other strategies that one can use and can be useful to control their anger during conflicts;

• Take a deep breath
• Count 0 - 10, which can help you to pause and reflect before reacting.
• Step away
• Identify triggers (things that can trigger your anger and make you do nasty things and regret later)
• Practice active listening
• Stay calm and speak calmly.
• Focus on the issue not the person.
• Seek help if needed, that is if anger is a persistent issue for you.

To sum it all up, navigating through conflict is an inevitable part of our lives (personally and professionally). However, it is how we approach and manage these conflicts that can lead to the kind of outcome we recieve, either positive or negative ones which will weaken or strengthen the relationship between parties, individuals or organizations. Conflicts resolution is a skill one need to have and it takes time and practice to develop, but with willingness, patience and determination, we can adapt and navigate even in the most challenging conflict situations.

Thanks for reading.......

I invite @bossj23, @emmy01 and @alli001 to participate