There are many ways that conflict can arise, such as business litigation, family law and divorce, real estate disputes and probate. No matter the nature of the conflict, there are some tried and true strategies for conflict resolution.
Whether the negotiations are informal or are being conducted with the help of professional mediation, conflict resolution strategies are often universally beneficial. It is important to know how to solve a conflict in the most timely, efficient and economical way.
3 ways to reach a peaceful solution
When in a conflict that needs to be resolved, it can be hard to stay objective, flexible and logical. According to the Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation, the following tips are designed to deescalate the situation and reach win-win solutions:
- Avoid emotional responses: There are many power-play strategies designed to create an advantage by laying blame. When coming under attack with accusations, it can be difficult to not take them personally. Try to remove yourself from the first-person approach and keep your perspective by striving to be objective.
- Use strategies that create value: When negotiating, it is important to understand clearly what the other party wants. Making compromises and concessions can be a great strategy to resolving the conflict. Striving for win-win solutions can help to reach a resolution quicker than just trying to win.
- Time is on your side: When negotiating or resolving conflict, it is important to not be in a hurry. The party that is motivated the most to resolve the situation the fastest is often at a disadvantage. It can be helpful to not be in a hurry and hold out for the best possible outcome.
Many specific strategies can be used to resolve conflict while negotiating. However, the general ones above are a good place to start.
Sometimes despite all-out best efforts to resolve a conflict, it still ends up going to court. If facing litigation, it can be helpful to have professional guidance experienced in the specific area in Illinois law in which the conflict falls.
