Conflict and Strategies (Do You Have A Game Plan?)

One of the many things I’ve enjoyed about watching the Olympics as been the interviews with the athletes. I like hearing what their thoughts were as they performed their sport. The swimmers – in both individual and relay events – were very methodical as they approached their races, and had a strategy for how they wanted to swim. The rowers, too, had very intentional plans for executing their races.

  

Knowing that they want to succeed when they in engage in their sport, the athletes don’t leave the situation to chance. They make plans for how they’ll swim, or row, how they’ll pace themselves, when to shift gears and sprint.

I know in rowing, you don’t show up without a race plan.

When it comes to relational conflict, one doesn’t typically think of having strategies, or approaching it in a certain way (that seems to be reserved for negotiations). In dealing with difficulties that come from day to day interactions, the tendency is  to react and just barrel through them.

But why wouldn’t you have strategies for conflict too? Why wouldn’t you give it some thought and be ready with a strategic plan? Aren’t the goals of success and worthwhile engagement the same in a good relationship?

Simply paying attention to your own patterns of relating or how someone else reacts to your behaviors can give you enough information to think of a strategy for dealing with the difficulties.

Put yourself in a position to be effective and do well in conflict – have a plan for taking on those dynamics. Who knows? You might even medal in relationships!

DrK

If you'd like to know more about strategies in conflict, contact me at
confidentconflict.com for a complimentary conversation!

"12 Ways to Rule in Conflict" Free Download