How can sustainable design professionals handle conflict effectively?

3 Express your position and interests

The third step to handle conflict is to express your own position and interests. Position is what you want or propose, while interests are the reasons why you want it or the underlying needs and values that motivate you. Expressing your position and interests means stating them clearly, concisely, and respectfully, without attacking or blaming the other parties. By expressing in this way, you can communicate your rationale, expectations, and concerns, and invite feedback and dialogue.

4 Explore options and alternatives

The fourth step to handle conflict is to explore options and alternatives. Options are the possible ways to address the issues, while alternatives are the outcomes that you can accept or pursue if the options are not feasible or satisfactory. Exploring options and alternatives means brainstorming, evaluating, and negotiating them with the other parties, while considering their interests and constraints. By exploring in this way, you can generate creative and mutually beneficial solutions, and avoid deadlock or impasse.

5 Agree on actions and follow-up

The fifth step to handle conflict is to agree on actions and follow-up. Actions are the specific steps that you and the other parties will take to implement the solution, while follow-up is the process of monitoring, reviewing, and adjusting the actions as needed. Agreeing on actions and follow-up means documenting them in a written or verbal form, assigning responsibilities and deadlines, and setting criteria and indicators for success. By agreeing in this way, you can ensure accountability, transparency, and consistency, and prevent future conflicts.

6 Learn and improve

The sixth step to handle conflict is to learn and improve. Learning is the process of reflecting on the experience, identifying the lessons learned, and applying them to future situations. Improving is the process of enhancing your skills, knowledge, and attitudes related to conflict resolution. Learning and improving means seeking feedback, recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, and seeking opportunities for training and development. By learning and improving in this way, you can increase your confidence, competence, and credibility as a sustainable design professional.