How to Analyze Conflict
- 1). Ask open-ended questions when talking to each of the people involved. This makes it easier to gain information and insight without putting words in people's mouths. Don't just ask them to tell you the story; ask a series of specific questions to focus their thoughts more effectively.
- 2). Analyze the people involved, and their circumstances. Gauge how much each party may be willing to compromise. Asses whether anyone seemingly uninvolved has a stake in the conflict, either positive or negative.
- 3). Look into the conflict's underlying issues. If you can find similarities between each party's interests, you should be able to craft a solution that addresses the shared interests of both parties.
- 4). Assess the nature and magnitude of each party's leverage over the other. For example, one party may have financial leverage while the other has emotional leverage. Be aware that power takes many different forms, and people use it in many different ways.
- 5). Examine solutions that have been discussed or attempted in the past, and the reasons they haven't worked or been tried. This can help give you a road map for what kind of solution may work this time.
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