Nurturing Friendships: Constructive Conflict Management
In order to resolve frequent quarrels with a close friend while simultaneously strengthening your relationship, you can employ constructive methods that are aimed not only at settling conflicts but also at deepening mutual understanding.First and foremost, the most important aspect is managing your emotions. As noted in one source, you need to learn how to overcome anger and impulsiveness and also discern which disagreements are truly important and which ones can be ignored. This approach helps prevent constant conflicts caused by minor misunderstandings (source: link txt).Furthermore, it is useful to look at the situation from different angles. According to the meta-mirror principle, it is helpful to analyze the conflict not only from your own point of view but also from your friend’s perspective, and even try to view the situation as an objective outside observer. This method helps identify the root of the problem and understand how the conflict arose (source: link txt).It is also recommended to use a step-by-step strategy similar to the one described in the book "Conflict: Seven Steps to Peace." It suggests:1. Remove the “masks” and be sincere in expressing your emotions.2. Identify the true problem by stripping away the superficial causes.3. Abandon the mindset of “winning at any cost,” since a conflict is not a competition.4. Consider several possible solutions and choose the best option for both parties.This structured approach not only helps find a way out of the conflict situation but also strengthens mutual trust, as both parties participate in seeking a solution (source: link txt).By applying such methods – managing emotions, objectively analyzing the conflict using the meta-mirror principle, and following a step-by-step strategy for compromise – it is possible not only to reduce the frequency of quarrels but also to develop more mature and harmonious relationships with a close friend.Supporting citation(s):"Conflictology, of course, studies conflicts, their origins, types, and methods of resolution. Despite the wide variety of methods for resolving conflicts, there are two main approaches: constructive and unconstructive. The constructive, or productive, method not only resolves the conflict but also has a positive impact on the parties involved..." (source: link txt)"As mentioned earlier, you need to start by learning how to manage your emotions and overcome anger and impulsiveness, as well as excessive demands on people, otherwise we will argue at every step over any small detail..." (source: link txt)"In books on conflict resolution, a sequential analysis of the conflict situation is a very important aspect. The meta-mirror principle implies considering the conflict from three perspectives: from our own position, from the perspective of our opponent, and as an external observer..." (source: link txt)"In the book 'Conflict: Seven Steps to Peace' by Charles Likson, a lawyer by profession with 30 years of practical psychology and mediation experience, several recommendations for resolving conflicts are presented. 1. 'Remove the masks': the parties in the conflict must be extremely sincere... 2. 'Identify the true problem': it is necessary to identify the real cause of the conflict... 3. 'Abandon the mindset of 'winning at any cost''... 4. 'Find several possible solutions'..." (source: link txt)