In the modern world of technology of using computers for our daily tasks at work and for our personal use of friends on Facebook and Twitter, conflict resolution is imperative to keep our neighborhoods, communities and workplaces safe.
Conflict resolution is the process of resolving disputes between two people or groups peacefully. From a simple Google search, I found many ways to resolve conflict from between two people to involve large groups of people.
Harvard Business School came up with a short five step process to resolve conflicts in the workplace that would work socially as well. 1) Avoiding 2) Competing 3) Accommodating 4) Compromising and 5) Collaborating. Without going into detail on each one, it boils down to making an effort to get along despite our differences.
Growing up in Detroit during the riots, the metro area became a hot bed of discussion of learning how to live together peacefully despite our differences and to right the wrongs that were imbedded in the system. Getting people to talk who were tired of talking because nothing ever changed felt that something big had to happen so that the people would listen. Changes were made and discussions occurred to end the riots.
In the modern world, the values and practices of treating people with respect even with differences of opinion either in person or on the internet is imperative to resolving differences of opinion. Teaching this in schools as young as kindergarten to teaching this to adults would have a profound impact on everyone.
Thank you for your time.
Leslie Elizabeth David
The Magnificent Modern Mature Woman 