How can you identify the root cause of partner conflicts?

Identifying the root cause of partner conflicts is a continious process that requires a lot of attention due to its severe consequences if it is overlooked. By asking open ended questions you encourage your partner to express himself and find out in this way what really is in his mind. You can find what he hopes for, what he is afraid of and plan your common course accordingly.This can become a mutually beneficial exercise if you are also prepared to answer to his questions in turn, as it will enhance partnership ties. Study him, listen and adjust to him can also help.

Identifying the root cause of partner conflicts requires open communication, self-reflection, and active listening. Through honest dialogue and tools like I-statements, couples can express concerns without blame. Self-reflection encourages individuals to understand their own contributions to conflicts, while active listening helps uncover hidden issues. Applying conflict resolution models, like the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument, categorizes conflict styles and highlights potential sources of disagreement. This combination of effective communication, self-awareness, and conflict resolution tools facilitates the identification and resolution of underlying issues in partner conflicts.

One thing I found helpful was doing homework. Starting from what we're the conditions that were communicated to partners brings confidence from partner in you and both are on same plane. Then second is to ask for feedback and "listen" Because feedback needs listening and understanding the root cause. It's here that partner opens up and right cause is identified. Important to mark here that cause is human generated or process generated to decide for model to resolve the issue.

Identifying any root cause has to start with great fact finding! Use open questions to get to the bottom of the situation. Tease out personal perspectives, views and points by engaging in effective communication. Great questions can uncover many issues!

A partner could be dissatisfied with process inputs or the outcome or the tenure of process. These are the 3 major heads apart from individuals interference.Individuals dealing with partner can be changed. But for issue like insufficient input or desired outcome has to be referred back with initial terms mentioned in homework done in first step. Again in place of reacting to feedback understanding of the issue is more important to solve it.

A great technique to use is the 5 whys method! Repeating the why question is great method to drill down to the core of an issue and tease out the required information!

No doubt fishbone diagram helps but remember noting the facts and details are necessary to refer back at later point of time. This also helps organization in future when another person wants to refer our work or points of discussion / issue.

Once identified if the problem is due to process ( inputs or outputs) Or it is due to timing the process is taking then appropriate model to solve the issue can be selected easily. Important to keep partner updated while resolution is being processed. This will build trust with partner and strengthen the bond.

E.g.Partner (advocate) who prepared legal reports for loan processing were having delayed payments as last person dealing the process left Bank without proper handover of process. This Pendency was irregular payment for around an year and above and created chaos and dissatisfaction for partner advocate. I took up the matter did my homework about payments for last 1.5 yr then I discussed with the partner ( advocate) who clarified the tenure since when issue raised. After confirmation from stakeholders on mail who proposed search I could get the payments amount which I matched with the bill raised. I further took approvals and released payments with acknowledgement. Local office was trained by me for further bill processing. Issue resolved.