Navigating conflicts
Insights and Strategies for Effective Conflict Resolution
I must agree I have come a long way when it comes to conflict management or handling tough situations or difficult conversations. I still remember when I took over leadership role, it was quite overwhelming to handle conflicting situations, people resigning, or disputes between team members. The first resignation from my team was daunting, and the first heated argument between team members was a real challenge. I had to be the person handling the heated situation. The first resignation after a heated argument during a retrospective was difficult. Team members getting emotional and vulnerable, learning to empathise and to respond to situations like this is challenging. These memories flashed before my eyes.
Today, I found myself in a similar situation, and I am proud of how far I have come. During a heated conversation, I didn’t lose my cool even for a minute. Instead, I stayed grounded, which surprised me. We took the conversation 1-on-1 after the heated exchange that happened in front of the entire team.
My heart didn’t race as it used to, and I stayed focused on what I needed to say. I was patient and listened to the other person. I believed in this person and knew neither of us had bad intentions. We were both trying to protect the team in our own ways. We…
