Problem

When conflict arises I would like to think I handle it maturely and without fueling the fire. I would like to think that I am open minded and realistic. With that being said, I also think that sometimes I am a little too persistent and don't know when to stop in conflict. My husband tells me that I always have to have the last word. I definitely think that there is room for improvement when it comes to conflict management skills. Although I am quick to jump the gun with family or people I know on a personal level, I do not like conflict with people whom I do not know. I think there is always room for improvement on all skill sets though! From the article, I think there are a few of the tips that I can use to improve my conflict management skills. Jordan explained that "Keep in mind that you don't know what story is foremost in other people's minds. Each individual has his or her own story about what is important and why. Insight into these different stories can make a great difference for how you and other people handle the conflict. Take on conflict situations with an intention to understand more about what is going on. Ask open-ended questions, questions that help you to understand the background of the conflict better. People's images of what is significant in specific situations are important reasons for their actions. These images can change, thereby changing the parties' attitudes and actions. Remember also to remain open to learning new things about yourself and how other people perceive you. Maybe other parties feel that you have contributed more to the problems than you are aware of." (p. 1). I thought all of the first tip was very eye opening and pointed out some really good information right off the top. I would have never of thought about conflict management in that way before.

Jordan, Thomas. Seven Guidelines For Handling Conflicts Constructively. Mediate website.

Robbins, S. P. & Judge, T. A. (2017). Organizational behavior (17th ed.). Pearson Publishing.