Are strong emotions (fear, anger, distrust) a big part of the conflict?
If so, you need to address those emotions first. Although strong emotions cannot be fixed quickly, acknowledging they are there and listening empathically to the other side explain their feelings can go a long way towards allowing them to transform the conflict into one that can be successfully addressed. So can devising a way for the other side to “save face,” to give in or at least meet you halfway without overtly having to admit they were wrong. For more information, see: • Article: Emotions Negotiation theory often assumes that people in conflict behave rationally, but emotional factors also play a large role in people’s attitudes and behaviors. This essay examines the importance of these emotional factors in both conflict assessment and response. • Article: Anger Anger can be constructive, but is more often destructive. This essay examines the interplay between anger and conflict and discusses when and how anger should be managed. • Article: Fear Fear is both a cause and a consequ
