You're facing a conflict with a colleague. How can you use self-awareness to manage it?

2 Manage your emotions

The second step to resolve a conflict is to manage your emotions. Conflict can trigger strong emotions, such as anger, frustration, or resentment, that can cloud your judgment and impair your communication. To manage your emotions, you need to recognize what you are feeling and why, and how your emotions affect your behavior. You also need to acknowledge your colleague's emotions and empathize with them, even if you disagree with them. To manage your emotions, you can use various techniques, such as breathing exercises, positive affirmations, or reframing the situation.

3 Choose your response

The third step to resolve a conflict is to choose your response. Depending on the situation and the relationship, you may have different options to respond to a conflict, such as avoiding, accommodating, competing, compromising, or collaborating. Each option has its pros and cons, and you need to weigh them carefully before deciding. To choose your response, you need to consider your goals, values, and priorities, as well as those of your colleague. You also need to evaluate the potential consequences and benefits of each option for yourself, your colleague, and the organization.

4 Communicate effectively

The fourth step to resolve a conflict is to communicate effectively. Communication is the key to finding a mutually acceptable solution and restoring trust and respect. To communicate effectively, you need to use respectful and assertive language, avoid blaming or accusing, and focus on the facts and the interests, not the positions or the personalities. You also need to listen actively and attentively, paraphrase and summarize what you hear, and ask for feedback and clarification. Finally, you need to express your feelings and needs, propose and explore options, and negotiate and agree on a solution.