Conflict and ways to resolve it were the themes at a Oct. 28 NE Campus lunch and discussion for nearly 50 students.
Leon Minor, NW student support coordinator, led the interactive symposium.
Students received guidance on how to effectively navigate contentious situations. Minor kicked off the dialogue by asking what the students thought when he said the word conflict.
Avoiding conflict altogether is preferable although “sometimes postponing it can make it worse,” he said.
Depending on the situation, avoiding conflict might allow the issue to fester and become an even larger problem, he said.
“Good communication is essential when trying to resolve conflict,” he said.
Minor gave numerous tips on what to do when avoiding the conflict is not an option.
“Be 100 percent honest with yourself and those you’re working with,” he said. “Avoid reacting to unintentional remarks. Practice active listening skills.”
He also recommended using “I” statements if possible. An “I” statement is one that stresses that the speaker is stating his opinion rather than saying it is an indisputable fact. That approach is much less abrasive than making bold declarative statements, Minor said.
“Identify and verbalize the desired outcome,” he said.
NE student Jessica Alexander found the information helpful.
“Conflict resolution is very important, especially if you happen to be in a lot of organizations and such,” she said.
— Adam Dodson
