Perspective plays a part in solving and creating conflict. I have a son named Mark. As Mark grew, he wore the same size sock as I did. He also wore the same kind of white socks. This created a problem of identification – a small conflict – whose socks were whose. We had a solution that turned out to create a little humor.
The solution was to put an M on Mark’s socks and an R on my socks – simple and effective. However, occasionally, an R sock would be found on Mark or an M sock on me. One day, a visitor noted Mark padding around in a pair of socks with two different letters. He scratched his head and said, “I don’t quite understand. You have one foot labeled right and the other labeled wrong.” Obviously, from his view, the socks appeared to be labeled R and W.
It is all related to perspective. Like the man who was reported to have been fired from the M & M plant because he kept throwing away all those candies marked with a “W.”
That brings up some important rules in conflict resolution as related to perspective.
1. Some ways of solving conflict may contribute to confusion or new conflicts (R and M – or is it a W sock?).
2. Everyone has a perspective of the issue that is often governed by his/her position.
3. Those perspectives may be very similar, partially the same, or even opposite.
4. Each of us tends to believe our perspective is the perspective..
5. Each of us operate from our perspective.
To be a successful negotiator or conflict resolver, it is important to understand the impact of perspective. It is also important to learn to be open, accepting, understanding, and even encouraging of the perspective of others.
Have someone retired or retiring? You might consider giving them a new little book: "I’ll Lie Down When I’m Dead – Stop rocking and start rolling” Kindle and paperback
The solution was to put an M on Mark’s socks and an R on my socks – simple and effective. However, occasionally, an R sock would be found on Mark or an M sock on me. One day, a visitor noted Mark padding around in a pair of socks with two different letters. He scratched his head and said, “I don’t quite understand. You have one foot labeled right and the other labeled wrong.” Obviously, from his view, the socks appeared to be labeled R and W.
It is all related to perspective. Like the man who was reported to have been fired from the M & M plant because he kept throwing away all those candies marked with a “W.”
That brings up some important rules in conflict resolution as related to perspective.
1. Some ways of solving conflict may contribute to confusion or new conflicts (R and M – or is it a W sock?).
2. Everyone has a perspective of the issue that is often governed by his/her position.
3. Those perspectives may be very similar, partially the same, or even opposite.
4. Each of us tends to believe our perspective is the perspective..
5. Each of us operate from our perspective.
To be a successful negotiator or conflict resolver, it is important to understand the impact of perspective. It is also important to learn to be open, accepting, understanding, and even encouraging of the perspective of others.
Have someone retired or retiring? You might consider giving them a new little book: "I’ll Lie Down When I’m Dead – Stop rocking and start rolling” Kindle and paperback
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