You're having trouble resolving conflicts. Can volunteering help?

2 Gain empathy and perspective

Another benefit of volunteering is that it can help you develop empathy and perspective, which are key elements of conflict resolution. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, while perspective is the ability to see a situation from different points of view. When you volunteer, you can expose yourself to new realities, challenges, and opportunities that may differ from your own. You can also meet and interact with people who may have different needs, values, and goals than you. By doing so, you can broaden your horizons and appreciate the diversity and complexity of human experiences. This can help you become more open-minded, respectful, and compassionate when dealing with conflict.

3 Build trust and rapport

Volunteering can also help you build trust and rapport with others, which are essential for resolving conflict. Trust is the confidence that someone will act in a fair, honest, and reliable way, while rapport is the feeling of connection and harmony that you have with someone. When you volunteer, you can demonstrate your trustworthiness and reliability by showing up, doing your best, and following through on your commitments. You can also establish rapport by being friendly, courteous, and helpful to others. By doing so, you can create a positive and cooperative atmosphere that can prevent or reduce conflict. You can also earn the respect and goodwill of others, which can make it easier to resolve conflict when it arises.

4 Manage stress and emotions

Volunteering can also help you manage stress and emotions, which are often triggers or barriers for conflict resolution. Stress is the physical and mental response to a perceived threat or challenge, while emotions are the feelings that arise from a situation or event. When you are stressed or emotional, you may have difficulty thinking clearly, listening actively, or responding calmly. You may also act impulsively, defensively, or aggressively. Volunteering can help you cope with stress and emotions by providing you with a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and satisfaction. It can also give you an outlet for your energy, creativity, and passion. By volunteering, you can reduce your stress levels and regulate your emotions, which can help you deal with conflict more effectively.

5 Develop confidence and competence

Volunteering can also help you develop confidence and competence, which are important for resolving conflict. Confidence is the belief that you can handle a situation or task successfully, while competence is the ability to perform a skill or activity well. When you volunteer, you can challenge yourself, learn new things, and achieve your goals. You can also receive feedback, recognition, and support from others. By doing so, you can boost your self-esteem and self-efficacy, which can help you face conflict with more courage and optimism. You can also improve your problem-solving and decision-making skills, which can help you find solutions and alternatives for conflict.