Conflict resolution

Talking About Conflict

Personal Experiences

Can you tell me about a time you had a conflict with someone?
How did you feel during the conflict?
What was the reason for the disagreement?
How did you solve the problem?
Do you think it is easy to forgive someone after a conflict? Why or why not?

Opinions About Conflict

Why do people have conflicts?
Is it better to avoid conflicts or to face them?
Can conflict sometimes be a good thing?
How can people prevent conflicts from happening?

Hypothetical Situations

What would you do if you disagreed with your friend?
How would you react if a coworker was rude to you?
Imagine two friends are arguing. How can they solve it peacefully?

What do you think are the most common causes of conflicts in professional or personal settings? Can you share an example?
Have you ever had to resolve a conflict? What steps did you take, and how successful was the outcome?
Why do you think understanding the root cause of a conflict is important before attempting to resolve it?
In your opinion, what are the challenges of finding solutions that both sides of a conflict can support? How can these challenges be overcome?
How does effective conflict resolution contribute to building a better environment, whether at work, in school, or at home?

solutions, agreement, define, support, incident

Useful Phrases

Expressing Disagreement

I don’t agree with you because…
I see your point, but…
I think you are wrong about…

Describing Feelings

I felt angry/upset/sad when…
It made me feel frustrated/confused…
I was surprised/shocked because…

Explaining Reasons

The problem started because…
The reason for the conflict was…
It happened because…

Solving Conflicts

We solved the problem by…
I apologized because…
I tried to understand their point of view…
We agreed to…

Giving Advice / Suggestions

I think you should…
It’s better to…
Maybe you can try to…

Successfully resolving conflicts requires a systematic approach to manage and settle disagreements in a constructive way. As outlined by the American Management Association, the process includes five essential steps:

Pinpoint the root of the conflict: Collect comprehensive insights from all involved to identify the fundamental cause of the dispute
Examine underlying factors: Look beyond the immediate situation to uncover deeper issues or recurring patterns that may have fueled the conflict.
Seek proposed solutions: Motivate each party to suggest potential resolutions, encouraging engagement and a shared sense of responsibility for the outcome.
Find mutually acceptable solutions: Assess the suggested options to determine a resolution that satisfies all parties involved.
Establish an agreement: Clearly outline the chosen resolution, ensuring that everyone comprehends and commits to the plan.

By following these steps, conflicts can be managed effectively, fostering a collaborative and positive atmosphere.

Read more about conflict resolution: https://www.amanet.org/articles/the-five-steps-to-conflict-resolution/

Practice Activity

Role-Play:

Two friends argue about going to a party. Use phrases to solve the conflict.
A classmate took your seat by mistake. Explain your feelings politely.
You and a coworker disagree on a project. Give advice on what to do next.

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