Making a self-assessment with the utilization of such tools and MBTI or Johari Window profiles helps to understand the ways in which we react to the situation. Moreover, it provides individuals with certain framework and tools for self-discovery and development of the personal development plan (Borisoff and Victor, 1997). One of the interesting findings, which I have brought with me from the course, is the conflict and emotional management techniques, used in the process of interpersonal communication and interaction.
My self-assessment revealed that my preferred conflict management styles are compromising and yielding. This demonstrates that my behavior varies a lot in a given social and situational landscape (Borisoff and Victor, 1997). Indeed, when I find myself in a situation where the conflict is reaching dangerous limits and people stop being effective in finding a solution, I tend to sacrifice my personal perspective and find a way to accept the opinions of others.
The objective that I aim to achieve in this case is to maintain the relationships, rather than win the conflict. On the other side, in some specific conflicts, especially among individuals that I know well, and understand their conflict styles, I choose yielding style and manage to find a win-win solution to the problem. It is evident that the conflict resolution is not possible without a good will from all the sides involved. With that in mind, it is important that constructive communication process is in the core of the conflict management. My personal experience allows me to argue that the key for success in managing conflict situations is good emotional management, where I utilize such skills as emotional abstraction and active listening (West and Turner, 2011).
These skills help me to avoid emotional perils and open room for understanding other standpoints and critically evaluate y position from an independent perspective. I strongly believe that in order to reach a win-win situation in a conflict and even general communication process it is important that opponents learn to challenge and ask the right questions that, rather than drive the clash of interest, will provide both sides with a critical review of their opinions.
References
Borisoff D., and Victor D.A. (1997). Conflict Management: A Communication Skills Approach. London: Pearson. Print.
West R, and Turner L.H. (2011). Understanding interpersonal Communication: Making choices in changing times. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Publishing. Print.
