How to Resolve Disputes and Manage Conflict Effectively

Resolving disputes can be difficult in any context, whether the problem is small or serious and whether it involves two parties or several. Nevertheless there are ways you can improve your ability to resolve disputes with a minimum of fuss and aggravation.

If the dispute involves you personally, it can be difficult to gain the necessary sense of perspective to perceive the most effective and reasonable solution to the problem at hand. Although you may resent the idea of rescinding control of the resolution process, this can often be the best way to secure a resolution that will be satisfactory to all parties. By stepping back from your own involvement and choosing to include an independent mediator, you can often improve your chances of reaching a satisfactory solution.

On the other hand if you are taking the role of mediator in somebody else's conflict, there are several things you can do to ensure that you have the greatest possible chance of being a positive force in the dispute. Perhaps the most important thing of all is to ensure that you are completely impartial in your dealings with the affected parties, regardless of any personal preference or views you may hold. This can be extremely difficult, but it is always worthwhile - a solution that favours one party over the other may not be tenable in the long run.

Another thing you can do to help maximise your chances of successfully managing the conflict is to discuss the views of all parties in a communal forum. Remember that your role as an independent mediator is not to represent one side or the other, but to represent both sides and to facilitate an improvement in their relations. It is therefore also crucial that as part of the negotiations you get the parties involved to talk to one another.

In the unfortunate situation that one or more parties want to walk away from the discussions you are hosting, you may be tempted to apply pressure on them to stay. One of the most difficult things about mediating conflict is accepting the fact that for the process to work, it must be voluntary. As soon as this is no longer the case, there is no merit in continuing the discussions. The reason why mediation often works is that it does not place parties within a dispute into direct opposition with one another or the force for mediation: instead it allows both parties to take control over their involvement with the process. This secures a positive commitment to seek a solution from all parties and encourages the positive environment necessary for mediation.

Whilst these basic principles can often help to ameliorate bad blood, it is also important to remember that there may be a point in the dispute where the problem has become so entrenched and divisive that you are no longer qualified to help. In this case there are a variety of formal training solutions that could help you; there are also professionally trained mediators who will be able to step in and continue negotiations in your stead.