Conflict Resolution

A conflict is a situation in which different people or parties with contradicted goals affect each other. A conflict can be as big as a war, or it can be as small as a disagreement, a negative or a positive one depending on the way it is solved. To illustrate, it can lead to a big fight or it can teach people to respect each others’ opinions and learn how to stand up for their own. In order to achieve that latter result, violence is not an option when it comes to conflict resolution. Passive ways are always the best choice. One good example of a passive peaceful way is negotiations.

Negotiation is always number one choice in so many situations that we face at work, home and specifically when it comes to disputes between countries, but what is negotiation? Negotiation according to the dictionary definition is “to discuss with the goal of finding terms of agreement”. In other words, negotiation means trying to meet other person’s goals without losing sight of your own. Therefore, it is a smart pick when things are at the stake to just have a meeting with the people you are arguing with and try to solve the problem you are facing, as the absence of a calm conversation leads to the worse. In fact, if it was not for negotiations, so many countries would have been doomed, for the failure of negotiations between countries usually leads to the other despised choice which is war.

Since negotiation is such a major method of solving a problem, it is an art that has specific techniques that should be followed to grantee the win of it. In the case of conflict between parties, companies or even countries, the art of negotiation states that each party should assign a skilled negotiator to speak for his party. A negotiator should be patient, smart, well aware of the situation and also aware of the other party’s weaknesses and strengths, what they are willing to do and what is out of discussion. He has to have manners of how to lead a civilized conversation and know how to make quick decisions without messing up things. To hold successful negotiations each party should be ready to compromise without giving up their main rights.

The role of negotiation cannot be denied as one safe resort to many politicians who has been always aware of the significance of reaching a nonviolent resolution to help their countries avoid war. One good example of a successful negotiation is what El Sadat, the late Egyptian president, was able to accomplish through negotiating with the Israelis which led to Camp David accord. Twelve days of secret negotiations guaranteed Egypt peace and stability since 1979 till this very moment. This victorious negotiation proved the truth of JF Kennedy’s famous saying ‘’never negotiate out of fear, but we should never fear to negotiate’’ that’s because in some cases the results are magnificent.

All in all, a conflict is a situation that is better be solved serenely to make sure that we get the best out of it. Since negotiation proved to be successful in so many complicated situations, its skills are considered the most significant elements of a career success whether political or even in business. The art of negotiation should be learned and practiced by anyone who wishes to lead a life of self fulfillment.