Conflict Management and Negotiation

A resident of San Jose, California, Steve Betando is an educator with over 36 years of experience. He served as the superintendent of the Morgan Hill Unified School District, during which time he received the California Distinguished Schools Gold Ribbon Award. Steve Betando is also a consultant and trainer on conflict management.

Building relationships provide the basis for conflict resolutions. Conflict management refers to the means by which parties can settle disagreements amicably among themselves. There are various conflict resolution techniques. Some of them are as follows:

Compromising and reconciling. This technique involves both parties letting go of something, be it an opinion or otherwise, to locate a middle path from where they can identify a resolution. Rarely can negotiations be settled without compromise and reconciliation.

Problem-solving/Confrontation. With this method, people involved in the conflict or who may have a difference in opinion come forward to discuss the issues at hand with a very open mind. Constructive confrontation refers to confronting the issue, not confronting other parties in an adversarial manner. For success, parties must focus on resolving the conflict and finding the best alternative or solution while understanding the benefits of resolution for all parties.

Smoothing/accommodating. When two parties dissent on an issue and discussions stall, either party can lead a resolving perspective on the situation by stressing points of agreement while recognizing, but de-emphasizing disagreements. Working together on common goals can act as a catalyst to dissolve the tension between the people involved by instilling trust and motivating both sides to resolve the conflict.