Conflicts - Solving Problems - Articles about Psychology

If two men on a job
agree all the time,
then one is useless.
If they disagree all the time,
then both are useless
- Darryl F. Zanuck

Discussion leaders, counselors, and others sometimes have to resolve conflicts among participants.

It may be best to consider the following sequential steps:

Get both sides to agree to abide by the interlocutor's intercession

Have both sides understand pay for the service
Have both sides understand that this payment is irrelevant to whether their point of view is accepted.
Have both sides sign a document that the counselor's decisions will be binding

Discuss the issues with each side separately

Isolate and then list the points of disagreement

Come to an agreement about some of the more acceptable issues

Reduce the list to those issues that require intercession

Determine the nature of each outstanding issue:

Bring the two sides together in a calm and congenial atmosphere

Discuss one issue at a time
Have each party speak calmly while the other remains silent
Ask each party to discuss their feelings about the issue
Have each party bring evidence of the correctness of their point of view
Find ways to compromise when disagreement continues on an issue
When there are enough areas of agreement on an issue, determine how to resolve it to the satisfaction of both sides
- Try to determine areas of agreement
- Try to limit the areas in which disagreement continues
Try to restate the remaining conflict in a positive manner after removing the points of agreement

Repeat the steps above until both parties agree with all the points in an issue

Write out the draft form of the decision

Repeat with the other issues of disagreement

Subsequent issues are likely to be easier to handle after resolving the initial problems.