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Showing posts from July, 2025

APPROACHES TO CONFLICT MANAGEMENT - 5 strategies for managing conflicts

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MANAGING DISAGREEMENTS THROUGH CONFLICT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES In this post, we expand on the Five Strategies for Managing CONFLICTS in ways that preserve and build relationships. PREVIOUS READ:   SIX GOLDEN RULES OF THE INTEREST-BASED RELATIONAL APPROACH IN CONFLICT MANAGEMENT Disagreements are an inevitable part of professional, academic, and social relationships. However, the way we manage these disagreements determines whether they become destructive confrontations or constructive engagements. This post examines five core strategies for managing stressful situations, focusing on how each can strengthen rather than damage relationships.   1. Problem-Solving (Confrontation Approach) This strategy involves a collaborative process where all parties come together to explore the root causes of the conflict, identify shared interests, generate options, and jointly arrive at the best possible solution. When to Use: When issues are complex, emotions are high, and relationship...

SIX GOLDEN RULES OF THE INTEREST-BASED RELATIONAL APPROACH IN CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

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  Interest-Based Relational (IBR) Approach Developed to build understanding and preserve relationships, the IBR approach is ideal for workplaces, families, and even political negotiations. MAKE SURE TO READ THE POST ON  Understanding and Applying Conflict Management Styles The IBR Process has the following Six Golden Rules Prioritize Good Relationships Make sure that good relationships are the first priority: As far as possible, make sure that you treat the other person calmly and that you try to build mutual respect. Do your best to be courteous to one-another and remain constructive under pressure. Stay calm and respectful, even under pressure. Example: HR addresses a conflict between two employees by setting a friendly, neutral tone before diving into the problem. Separate People from the Problem Keep people and problems separate: Recognize that in many cases the other person is not just being difficult – real and valid differences can lie behind conflic...

Understanding and Applying Conflict Management Styles

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Understanding and Applying Conflict Management Styles Main Content Thomas and Kilmann's styles Interpreting Thomas Killman Conflict Mode Inventory Scores The "Interest-Based Relational Approach Conflict as we have been discussing in previous posts is a constant in life. It’s not a question of if, but when. What matters most is how we respond. In the 1970s, Kenneth Thomas and Ralph Kilmann developed a model known as the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) to help individuals understand their typical conflict-handling style. They identified five core approaches: Competing, Collaborating, Compromising, Avoiding, and Accommodating. Each approach lies on a scale of assertiveness (concern for self) and cooperativeness (concern for others), and each has its appropriate use case depending on the situation. MAKE SURE TO READ THE   INTRODUCTION  TOO   In this post, we break each one down with clear, practical examples: 1. Competing (High Assertiveness, Low Cooperativ...

Mastering Conflict: From Prevention to Transformation

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INTRODUCTION Conflict isn’t always loud or violent but it could be silent tension between roommates or angry tweets flying across screens. The truth? Conflict is normal , and learning how to deal with it is a crucial life and leadership skill. Conflict is as natural as breathing and it’s how people respond to it that makes the difference. Whether it’s a heated boardroom argument, Twitter war, campus protest, or a diplomatic standoff, conflict is part of life . This post explores how we can prevent, manage, and even grow through conflict using five proven approaches: Prevention, Mediation, Management, Resolution, and Transformation . Make sure to read the previous post on Understanding the causes, usefulness and stages of conflict before you proceed. Now let's continue... 1. Conflict Prevention 🧯 “It’s easier to stop a fire from starting than to put it out.” Conflict prevention is about addressing issues early before they explode. It means understanding the root causes of te...

Understanding the causes, usefulness and stages of conflict

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Let’s face it— conflict is everywhere.   From your morning argument with your sibling to the tension in a WhatsApp group chat, conflict isn’t some abstract idea tucked away in textbooks. It happens in real life—and it shows up in different forms depending on where it happens and how it affects the people involved . In this post, we’ll explore two main categories of conflict: Conflicts based on location (Where is the conflict happening?) Conflicts based on impact (What kind of result is the conflict producing?) 🗺️ A. Types of Conflict Based on Location These are classified by where the tension arises—inside a person, between people, or among groups. 1. 🧠 Intrapersonal Conflict – The Battle Within This is the tension that happens inside you . Ever struggled to decide between studying or binge-watching? Between telling the truth or keeping quiet? That tug-of-war in your head over values, time, goals, relationships—that’s intrapersonal conflict. ✅ This type of conflict o...

6 Key Principles You Need To Know About Conflict Management In The Bible

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Conflict is part of every human relationship including those in biblical times.  From family feuds to leadership disagreements, the Bible presents conflict not as something to fear, but as an opportunity for  growth, grace, and transformation . What makes the difference is how we handle it. This post explores  6 key biblical principles  that can guide how we manage disagreements, misunderstandings, and tension—in friendships, families, institutions, and even digital spaces. 1️⃣ Seek Peace, Not Just Victory 📖 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” — Romans 12:18 Biblical Insight: We are not always called to win the argument—but to prioritize peace and act responsibly, even when others choose conflict. Practical Tip: Be intentional about de-escalating situations. Ask: Is my response bringing peace or fueling the fire? 2️⃣ Address Conflict Privately First 📖 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just ...

Some Key Principles You Need To Know About Conflict Management In The Bible

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  Do you know that conflict has always been part of the human story even in the Bible? Yes from Cain and Abel to Paul and Barnabas, scripture doesn't hide tension; it reveals it as part of the journey of growth, transformation, and restoration. But more importantly, the Bible also offers timeless principles for managing conflict —not through domination or silence, but through humility, truth, and reconciliation. Conflict management in the Bible is richly layered, offering both spiritual principles and practical lessons that remain relevant for contemporary issues—including family disputes, leadership crises, political tensions, and even national conflicts. The Bible does not ignore conflict; instead, it models how to address it with wisdom, humility, justice, and dialogue . Below is a structured summary of how conflict is understood and managed in the Bible, grouped into key themes and supported by specific scriptures: 1. Understanding the Nature of Conflict The Bible recogni...