This week’s conflict resolution tip is about the importance of recognizing your own power.
Sometimes, we get into conflict because we feel threatened or trapped in some way. This triggers our fight or flight mode and we often consciously or unconsciously react in defensiveness to reclaim the power that we perceive is lost. However, it is possible to stop this automatic reaction if we can deliberately recognize that we still have power even in conflicts that seem threatening. Ultimately, regardless of the conflict we find ourselves in, we still have our power of choice, autonomy, and decision-making. We have the power to use any strategy we want—whether it be listening, conceding, defending, compromise, or collaboration. This type of power manifests as a level of confidence that roots you and is hard to shake off.
If our power goes personally unrecognized, it is more likely we’ll approach conflict with defensiveness, intimidation, or coercion. But by recognizing our power in these situations, we approach negotiation and conflict resolution from a better starting point—we’re more likely to be open, calm, and even vulnerable. This will allow us to negotiate in a calm and respectful way, making the interaction better for everyone. Ultimately, if we want to build peace in our lives, recognizing our power is an essential step to approaching conflict resolution with a grounded sense of confidence.
