Table of Contents >
Chapter 20. Providing Information and Enhancing Skills >
Section 6. Training for Conflict Resolution >
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| Contributed by Rebecca Wolff and Jenette Nagy Edited by Bill Berkowitz, Jerry Schultz, and Michelle Loewenstein |
Tool 1: Determining interests of both parts
This tool will help you access what is important for you and what is important for your opponent. Filling in the questionnaire you can examine your best alternatives to find a solution to your conflict.
MY INTERESTS:
What are my interests?
What do I really care about in this conflict?
What do I want?
What do I need?
What are my concerns, hopes, fears?
POSSIBLE OUTCOMES
What kinds of agreements might we reach?
LEGITIMACY
What third party, outside of the conflict, might convince one or both of us that a proposed agreement is a fair one?
What objective standard might convince us that an agreement is fair? (a law, an expert opinion, the market value of the transaction?)
Is there a precedent that would convince us that an agreement is fair?
THEIR INTERESTS:
What are the interests of my opposition?
If I were in their shoes, what would I really care about in this conflict?
What do they want?
What do they need?
What are their concerns, hopes, fears?
EXPLORING ALTERNATIVES: What's my best alternative to negotiations?
PROS:
CONS:
WAYS TO MAKE MY ALTERNATIVE EVEN BETTER:
WHAT'S THEIR BEST ALTERNATIVE TO NEGOTIATIONS?
PROS:
CONS:
WAYS TO MAKE THEIR ALTERNATIVE LESS APPEALING:
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Checklist
Here you'll find a checklist summarizing the major points contained in the text.
___You know what conflict resolution is.
___You know why you should resolve the conflict.
- You want to come to an agreement that benefits all parties
- You want to understand more about those whose ideas, beliefs, and backgrounds may be different from your own
- You want to ensure that your relationships with opponents continue and grow
- You want to find peaceful solutions to difficult situations
- You want to save your energy for more productive activities than battles.
___You know when you should resolve the conflict.
___You have decided if the conflict is between individuals or groups (or an individual and a group.)
___You understand the seven steps to successfully negotiating the resolution of a conflict
- You understand the conflict
- You understand both sides' interests
- You have considered the possible outcomes of the negotiation
- You have considered possible mediators and objective standards to help resolve the dispute.
- You are ready to communicate with the opposition.
- You are willing to negotiate with the opposition in order to find a resolution.
- You want to learn from your opposition.
- You want to turn your opposition into an ally.
- You are prepared to brainstorm for possible resolutions.
- You have selected the best resolution.
- You have found a third party mediator and/or objective standard.
- You have set a best alternative for yourself if negotiations fail.
- You are ready to identify and cope with stressful situations and pressure tactics.
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