WEEK 5 - Nonviolent Communication and Conflict Management

Conflicts occur in our personal and professional relationships as well as our interaction with our community. Conflicts can either be managed productively or unproductively. Conflict management therefore, refers to the way that we engage in conflict and address disagreements with our relational partners. Unproductive conflict is conflict managed poorly and has negative impact on the individuals and relationships involved. While productive conflict is conflict managed effectively (O’H air & Wiemann, 2012). When we engage in productive conflict management we are able to make better decisions that would be of benefits to parties involved.

A recent disagreement I had was with my husband regarding the choice of preschool for my daughter when she eventually wants to start. My husband and I had not really discussed it but in some ways we had assumed that she would be enrolled in the same school with his colleague’s kids, but as I watched my daughter grow, I began to understand her better. I saw her as a very active ,spirited child who loves to learn new things but in a more unconventional and play-like manner and since I am an advocate of play in the early years I thought I needed to really take my time to ensure the preschool we eventually enroll her into would be able to meet her needs. I decided to discuss it with my husband, there was disagreements because my husband taught the issue of her school was a done-deal ,he had even made enquiries about tuition and some other information about the school meanwhile I was searching for other options. He made me realize that in some ways I had said things that indicated my interest in the school, so why the sudden change, he also said his colleague said ,all the schools offer the same thing, which I disagreed with him. He had a point I had showed and indicated earlier that she could start the preschool but that was before I began to understand my daughter’s personality better. I felt the best I could do was to look for a preschool that shares my goal of learning and create an environment that would enable her discover her full potential. After stating several facts and reasons ranging from locations, to tuition fees, facilities , reputation and teaching and learning strategies, I advised him to make conscious effort to spend more time with her and if he did not understand my point of view ,then I would reconsider. He did, at least for the benefit of doubt; I was surprised when he came to me and asked the schools I have being checking of late .We both concluded we need to search for schools that would meet our desire while given cost into consideration as well as location. We are yet to decide one but at least we have both agreed on what type we want.

I believe our conflict was aimed at bringing about a better decision for an important plan in our family; our daughter’s education, it was therefore necessary we took a productive step, despite the fact that we both had our reasons for disagreeing

The conflict managing strategies I feel would be appropriate for this disagreement would be to focus on the issue, consider options and alternative as well as adopt the cooperative strategy. I believe when we use these strategies we would be able to arrive at what is best for our daughter without hurting each other’s feelings.When one is aware of how to address conflicts it goes a long way in preventing the damages that comes with conflicts and violence.

Reference

O’ Hair, D. & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real communication: An introduction. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martins’s.