What do you do if conflicts arise in your community outreach role?

1 Identify the sources

The first step to resolving any conflict is to identify its sources and understand its nature. Common sources of conflict in community outreach can include miscommunication or misunderstanding of expectations, goals, roles, or feedback; cultural or personality differences; competing interests; lack of resources; power imbalances; and emotional stress. Once the sources are identified, you can determine whether the conflict is substantive, relational, or procedural. This will help you choose the appropriate approach and tools to address it.

2 Communicate effectively

The second step to resolving any conflict is to communicate effectively with the parties involved. This includes actively and empathetically listening to understand the perspectives, needs, and emotions of others, asking open-ended questions and clarifying assumptions and facts, expressing your own views and feelings respectfully and assertively, using constructive feedback and positive language, seeking common ground and mutual understanding, and avoiding blame, criticism, or judgment. When done right, effective communication can help build trust and rapport, reduce tension and hostility, and foster collaboration and cooperation.

3 Use conflict resolution techniques

When resolving any conflict, the third step is to use a conflict resolution technique that suits the situation and desired outcome. Negotiation, mediation, arbitration, collaboration, accommodation, and avoidance are all common conflict resolution techniques. Negotiation is a process of finding a mutually acceptable solution through dialogue and compromise, while mediation involves a neutral third party who facilitates the dialogue and helps the parties reach an agreement. Arbitration involves a neutral third party who listens to the arguments and evidence of the parties and makes a binding decision. Collaboration is a process of working together to find an integrative solution that satisfies all parties. Accommodation is yielding to another party's wishes or demands to preserve the relationship or avoid further conflict. Lastly, avoidance is withdrawing from or ignoring the conflict to reduce stress or postpone the issue. The choice of technique depends on several factors such as urgency, importance, complexity, intensity of the conflict, as well as the relationship, power, and willingness of the parties.

5 Take care of yourself

The fifth step to resolving any conflict is to take care of yourself and your well-being. Conflict can have a significant impact on your physical, mental, and emotional health, particularly if it is long-term or unresolved. Managing your stress and emotions, practicing self-care and self-compassion, seeking help from others when needed, maintaining a balance between work and life, engaging in positive activities, and cultivating a growth mindset and a positive attitude are all important ways of looking after yourself. Taking the time to do this will help you cope with the challenges of your community outreach role, as well as enable you to serve others better.

6 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?