Six Ways to Manage Conflict

In the book Managing Conflict Through Communication, it is explained that there are six ways of managing conflict. It includes:

1. preparation- which involves defining the problem, needs or issues.
2. Communicating Need- communicating your need to discuss the situation with the receiver.
3. Communicating Problem- communicating the problem.
4. Listening and Empathizing- listening and empathizing with the viewpoint of the messenger.
5. Agreement- come to a mutual agreement with the receiver.
6. Reevaluation- the sender is to reevaluate the agreed upon solution at a set time/date. 

Just think of these steps like baking a cake. If you skip a step it may not come out the same way. But unlike a cake that may taste good. Unresolved conflict can be bitter every time....


Cahn, D.D., & Abigail, R.A. (2007). Managing conflict through communication (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.