I just worked with the MI TWP Association in Grand Rapids MI on a “Building Trust in Your Community Workshop.” The group was open to the ideas and participated in numerous group exercises.
Below is an exercise that I asked the audience to complete.
On the left side of a piece of paper write down the name of a person who you don’t get along with. Write down a few characteristics that describe this person. On the right side of the paper write down the name of a person who you get along with really well and write a few characteristics that describe this person
OK…now for the fun! Most of the time people tell me that the description of the person that they don’t get along with is NOT like the person doing the exercise. It is interesting because participants tell me that the description of the person who they get along with describes the person doing the exercise.
Here is the challenge: Personal bias gets in the way. We get along with people who are like us and many times have conflict with people who are NOT like us. Hopefully this will help the next time you have conflict with someone. Ask yourself if the differences between you and the other person is really the issue.
The definition of conflict is the following: “An open clash between groups or individuals.” It can be due to different ideas, behaviors communication styles or cultures. We all deal with conflict in different ways!
I hope that this tip will help you resolve your next conflict. Please look for a video tip on this subject in one of my next blogs.
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Until next time!
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