How do you build reflection into conflict management training?

1 What is reflection and why is it important?

Reflection is an essential process for examining one's own experiences, feelings, assumptions, and behaviors in relation to a specific situation or problem. It helps to identify what worked well, what could have been improved upon, and what was learned from the outcome. In conflict management training, reflection is important for gaining insight into your own strengths and weaknesses as a conflict manager, recognizing the impact of your actions and words on others and yourself, learning from mistakes and successes to apply them to future situations, developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, enhancing emotional intelligence and empathy, increasing self-awareness and confidence.

2 How to reflect on a conflict situation?

Reflecting on a conflict situation can be done in many ways, but one simple and effective method is to ask yourself four questions. First, describe the situation, the people involved, the main issues, and the outcome. Second, identify and name your emotions and consider how they impacted your behavior and communication. Third, analyze what you did well and what you could have done differently. Also consider what skills or strategies you used or needed, as well as any assumptions or biases you had or encountered. Lastly, plan how you will apply your learning to future situations. Set goals and actions for yourself, and devise a way to monitor your progress and evaluate your results.

3 When to reflect on a conflict situation?

Reflection can be done at any time, but it is most effective when it is done regularly and soon after the conflict situation. This way, you can capture your fresh impressions and feelings, and avoid forgetting or distorting the details. You can also reflect before, during, and after a conflict situation, depending on your purpose and context. For example, you can reflect before a conflict situation to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally, during a conflict situation to monitor your reactions and responses, and after a conflict situation to review and improve your performance.

4 How to record your reflections?

Recording your reflections can help you to organize your thoughts, track your progress, and revisit your learning. You can use different formats and tools to record your reflections, such as a journal or diary where you can write down your answers to the four questions or use other prompts or models. Alternatively, you could use a voice or video recorder to speak or show your reflections aloud or visually. Additionally, you could share your reflections with others on a blog or social media platform to get feedback or support. Lastly, you could create a portfolio or evidence folder to collect and showcase your reflections along with other documents or artifacts related to your conflict management training.

5 How to use feedback in your reflections?

Feedback is another invaluable source of information and learning for your reflections. It can come from yourself, others involved in the conflict situation, a coach or mentor, or a peer group or network. By comparing and contrasting your feedback with your own perceptions and evaluations, you can identify and acknowledge your strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, incorporating and applying the feedback into your action plans and goals, as well as seeking clarification or further feedback if needed, can help you make the most of this valuable resource.

6 How to overcome challenges in reflection?

Reflection can be a difficult process for many reasons, such as not having enough time or motivation, being unable to express or understand emotions, feeling resistant or defensive to criticism, and being uncertain or confused about how to reflect. To overcome these challenges, you should set aside a specific time and place for reflection, use a structured format or tool to guide your reflection, seek support from others who can help you reflect, acknowledge your achievements and learn from your challenges, and be honest and open-minded with yourself and others.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?