Not feeling very playful or creative?
Let go of the past
A mentor recently reminded me that we can’t move into a new future when we are incomplete with the past. There’s no better time to unleash your creativity again than right now, with this conflict. If you could have it resolve in any way possible, what would happen?
Write or say whatever thoughts your brain sends you. Don’t judge them. Do a brain dump and get them all out. You might be surprised at what works.
Here’s a pro tip. If your ideal resolution scenario is for someone else to change or to take all the actions to resolve the conflict, you are unlikely to get far. Deep conflict resolution is not about controlling the other people in the dispute. Have you not noticed how that only leads to rebellion and turning the tables? That’s because the conflict isn’t really complete. It’s complete when you’re indifferent, or at peace, and able to focus on creating the future. If you’re not there yet, go back and make the Seven Choices again. Some of the most painful conflicts will require you to do that several times. That’s a natural, human response. Don’t judge it, either. You’ve got this!
Workplace conflict resolution scenarios include:
- The employer agrees to provide additional training and more frequent feedback; the employee agrees to attend the training, follow procedures, and ask for what they need to do their job well.
- The co-worker who touches people without consent gives a complete apology and agrees to attend additional training on inappropriate behaviors; the fellow co-workers who complained forgive but don’t forget and hold her accountable for doing what she said she would do to make amends–consistently.
- The injured employee agrees to return to work within the restrictions his doctor gave him; his employer agrees to accommodate his restrictions for a limited period and reassess them frequently with consideration of the business needs.
- The employer agrees to reclassify certain independent contractors as employees, set up their payroll and insurance, and pay reduced penalties; the State agrees to accept the reduced penalties in full satisfaction of the worker misclassification and vacate the judgment against the employer.
