Family Law Matters Blog
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
What was it about Martin Luther King Jr. that inspired us? There are so many things including his courage and decency, his ability to communicate and his vision for a future in which the rights of all individuals are respected. We can all learn from Dr. King and we must continue to aspire to conduct ourselves with decency as we meet life’s challenges.
As a conflict professional, I work with families facing challenges that provoke strong feelings such as anger and fear. These challenges can inhibit productivity when not managed appropriately. Most of my clients choose to resolve conflict by treating each other with dignity and respect. How we conduct ourselves during challenging times shows who we really are at our core. Being guided by our morals rather than by provocative, inflammatory behavior leads to better results in conflict resolution and in life in general.
7 Effective Ways to Resolve Conflict with Dignity and Respect:
- Choose a process that will promote the welfare of the whole family in developing options
- Select a professional that will establish and maintain the negotiation in a manner consistent with your goals
- Do more listening rather than talking – be authentically interested
- Use language that will encourage cooperation – avoid inflammatory language
- Gather and share information relevant to decision-making before starting the negotiation
- It is normal to feel stressed – pause before acting
- Show you care!
When our conduct and speech show appreciation for the other person and the gravity of the situation it often leads to positive results.