Embracing Conflict: A Catalyst for Professional and Personal Development

Can something unpleasant be beneficial? Well, yes! Sometimes, embracing unpleasantness can benefit us professionally and personally, and today, we discuss how “conflict” can be a catalyst for personal development.

No one wants to be tagged into a conflicting situation or conversation that leads to unpleasant experiences or episodes.

None of us desire to combat any unpleasantness at work. Yet, we've all been guilty at one point or another of avoiding confrontations or stressful interactions to steer clear of this dreaded word 'conflict,’ which is precisely why we must address this subject.

Long-simmering conflicts between colleagues can lead to massive time and energy loss, individual or even team-wide procrastination, damage to work culture, negative results, and even spiral into outright bitter litigation and lifelong enmities. Former US president Ronald Reagan once said, “Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with conflict by peaceful means.”

The ability to manage conflict is a hard-won skill and must be wielded firmly yet with subtlety and deafness. Let us discuss the 3 choices that one can implement at their workplace and reap the benefits that accrue from such choices. In this section, we explore the first choice.

Pause and Think

Addressing conflict increases knowledge. Though it is draining and can get tiresome very quickly, those are emotional responses that do not serve an already emotionally charged scenario. Conflict gives us time to pause, think, and even deliberate critically to understand the ‘why’ behind the conflict. Instead of asserting an opinion, one is so used to responding impulsively that it can aggravate a situation or lead to further resentment because one wants to avoid an uncomfortable situation and walk away.

However, if one chooses to pause and think and deliberate a little more critically, one may find the underlying cause of the ‘why’ behind the conflict. Knowing the why can solve half the issue or lead to a more sorted discussion. Author GK Chesterton once said, “Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up.” It means that before removing or changing something, like a rule or tradition, fully understand the reason behind its existence to avoid unintended negative consequences. It implies empathy is essential for understanding the conflict one is facing.

Why is one facing resistance from an individual, the team, or the boss? Why are they more invested in an outcome that they believe is detrimental? Being objective and determining this accurately can be quite challenging in emotionally charged situations, but effective leaders use pause and think to their advantage. The result is increased real-world knowledge about a situation, problem, conflict, and your colleagues. Hence, pause and think before you respond; it is one of the most important weapons in one’s conflict resolution arsenal.

In Conclusion

While conflict is perceived negatively, when embraced by a more empathetic and proactive behavior, it can serve as a potential catalyst for growth and change in one’s professional and personal life. Do not rush, but pause and think. It is important to understand the ‘why’ of a conflict and approach it with a positive intent to resolve and learn from the situation. Make efforts to turn these challenging situations to foster open communication, enhance problem-solving skills, and build a foundation of peace, collaboration, and harmony. 

Also Read :  Mastering tools to Navigate Conflict with Success