Confident? Or just comfortable with conflict?
When people come across as confident, some can assume that there is a secret to that confidence. So, here’s mine. I’m not always all that confident.
The more I learn about conflict management, negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution, the more comfortable I am with conflict managing conflict.
Side effects of this may vary. For me, they include the following. I can advocate for myself. I can recognize a situation’s potential to devolve into conflict, open my toolbox and pull out an opportunity to strengthen relationships, learn from the people around me, and help us all achieve good things.
I think others see this as confidence, or even fearlessness. Strong will. At worst, maybe some who don’t pay close attention name stubbornness or obstinateness.
In reality, it is a level of comfort with conflict and an ability to maintain a stronger focus on resolution than on obstacles.
