While falling in love, most people do not think about conflict. As couples grow closer, it is inevitable they will discover hidden issues that can lead to disagreements. A threat to the stability of a relationship can be scary and require deliberate work to resolve the issues that present themselves. So, what’s love got to do with it? Conflict management can be an expression of love.
A genuine apology can promote healing and connection. An apology involves more than simply saying “I’m sorry.” It is a process. Effective apologies require courage, compassion, humility, and sincerity. An apology’s effectiveness, however, is not dependent on the recipient’s acceptance of the apology. There may be barriers to giving or receiving apologies. When the conditions are right, however, an apology can be a powerful catalyst for conflict resolution.
Respect is quite often the most important catalyst for resolving conflicts. It’s not always easy to offer to an opponent, in part due to conflicting ideas of what “respect” means. Respectful conflict resolution requires active listening, empathy and a proactive approach to future conflicts. In this article, we’ll discuss the power of respect and how to use it to resolve conflicts effectively.
