From conflict to understanding, from getting stuck to moving forward
Anatomy of workplace Conflict Transformations: Tools, Tips, Thoughts
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Workplace Conflict
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Race & Gender
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Conflict in Pop Culture
About the author - Dr. Sara Shamdani
“I don’t know what I think until I write about it”, wrote the brilliant Joan Didian. I am a socio-political scientist and a writer and I come to understand my experiences more fully through writing. And because I’m passionate about conflict transformation and work as a mediator to bridge people’s understanding of each other, I come to these pages to explore my experiences and understanding of conflict in our culture, particularly at work. Sometimes I draw on my personal stories and experiences and sometimes I purely cite the research I’ve read. I hope these stories and thoughts resonate with you and I hope you find something helpful in them.
If we want others to understand us, we have to first understand them
Viewpoint diversity isn’t about trying to change someone’s mind. But if you can get people to be open to new ideas, having conversations with other people and being able to disagree in a way that is constructive rather than just being judgmental, that’s your best chance to change minds—and regardless, you understand more and coexist better.
A Note on Understanding
“Unfortunately understanding doesn’t always connote sanction, conversion, or forgiveness.” That’s the problem, isn’t it? I have an argument with my loved one and I explain my position. I suspect that they would understand me after my explanation, and I want to be understood so badly. But in fact what I want is not just to be understood, what I want is all the above: sanctioning my behaviours, converting to my way of thinking and acting, or forgiving my behaviours.