A working definition of Conflict Resolution is “Accepting the things we cannot change”
Conflict is a healthy thing, it is something that happens between people. If there is no conflict it either means there is no relationship or the relationship is dominated by one party and the conflict has become hidden.
There are many ways people try and avoid conflict … silence, sticking your head in the sand, ignoring it, minimising it, blaming others, always putting it on the end of the agenda. The consequence of any of these avoidance strategies is that the conflict will tend to fester and get worse.

1. Lies in finding ways to get across to others that you are not happy. It starts with an acceptance that “I” have a problem. There needs to be mutual acceptance of this. “We” have a problem. There then needs to be an acceptance of different positions.
2. Avoid labelling the other (pressing the other's buttons).
3. Define exactly what is annoying you. This has the effect of acknowledging that I have a problem, rather than giving the message that the other individual is the problem.
4. There should be no winners and losers. If it goes wrong everyone tends to lose. Resolution means everyone wins.

1. Recognise your own power … to change yourself … to change things.
2. Decide to fight fairly.
3. Stick to the issue.
4. Define your own problem.
5. Listen to yourself and to the other.
6. Convert negatives into positives.
7. Negotiate a solution with the other, both will lose something, both will win something.