How do you negotiate and resolve conflicts and disagreements with other media relations professionals?

1 Identify the source of conflict

The first step to resolving any conflict is to understand what is causing it and how it affects the parties involved. Is it a matter of miscommunication, misunderstanding, or misinformation? Is it a clash of interests, values, or opinions? Is it a personal or professional issue? By identifying the source of conflict, you can clarify the problem and avoid assumptions, accusations, or generalizations that may escalate the situation.

2 Listen actively and empathetically

The second step to resolving any conflict is to listen to the other person's point of view and acknowledge their feelings and concerns. Listening actively means paying attention to what they are saying, asking open-ended questions, and paraphrasing or summarizing their main points. Listening empathetically means showing genuine interest, respect, and compassion, and avoiding judgment, criticism, or interruption. By listening actively and empathetically, you can demonstrate that you care about the relationship and the outcome, and that you are willing to understand their perspective and needs.

3 Express your own perspective and needs

The third step to resolving any conflict is to express your own perspective and needs in a clear, concise, and respectful way. Expressing your perspective means stating your facts, opinions, and goals, and explaining how the conflict affects you and your work. Expressing your needs means stating what you want or expect from the other person or the situation, and why it is important to you. By expressing your own perspective and needs, you can communicate your position and interests, and avoid ambiguity or confusion.

4 Seek common ground and solutions

The fourth step to resolving any conflict is to seek common ground and solutions that can satisfy both parties and achieve the desired outcomes. Seeking common ground means finding areas of agreement, shared values, or mutual interests that can serve as a basis for cooperation and trust. Seeking solutions means brainstorming, evaluating, and negotiating options that can address the problem and meet the needs of both parties. By seeking common ground and solutions, you can foster collaboration and compromise, and avoid win-lose or lose-lose scenarios.

5 Follow up and follow through

The fifth step to resolving any conflict is to follow up and follow through on the agreed solutions and actions. Following up means checking in with the other person, providing feedback, and acknowledging progress or challenges. Following through means delivering on your promises, fulfilling your responsibilities, and honoring your commitments. By following up and follow through, you can reinforce the relationship and the resolution, and avoid resentment or relapse.

6 Learn and improve

The sixth step to resolving any conflict is to learn and improve from the experience and the feedback. Learning means reflecting on what went well and what went wrong, what you learned about yourself and the other person, and what you can do differently or better in the future. Improving means applying what you learned, developing new skills or strategies, and seeking opportunities for growth or development. By learning and improving, you can enhance your media relations competencies and confidence, and avoid repeating the same mistakes or conflicts.

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?