Communication skills
Communication is vital to our relationships at home, in the classroom, at work, and with the strangers we interact with each day. Conflict is a natural part of relationships and interactions. Conflict itself is not bad, it’s how we handle it that makes the difference. Ongoing communication is key to managing conflict constructively.
Here are some elements of managing conflict in a healthy constructive way:
- Coordinate efforts aimed to resolve your differences,
- Strive to understand the perspective of the other,
- Provide clear information concerning your position and intentions,
- Express your reactions without fear of negative judgments,
- Reason together cooperatively,
- Explore possible solutions for mutual benefit.
Two things must be communicated:
- What’s bothering you,
- Your willingness to work together to fix it
Sometimes conflict can be difficult to resolve alone. You may find that you need a helpful CA, roommate, family member, friend, or third party (like a counselor) to facilitate the process. The Counseling Center staff is available to help you if in managing your conflict in a healthy manner. If you would like more assistance or counseling, please contact the Counseling Center.
To learn more about counseling click here.
For information to make an appointment click here.
Here are some additional resources that could be helpful:
How to have a good clean fight