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Work & Family Life newsletter (February 2006; [email protected]) offered these tips for resolving conflict:

• Be aware that you see the world from your own point of view. It’s not necessarily the way things really work.
• Make an effort to understand the other person’s point of view �" not just what he or she wants, but why.
• Show empathy. Try to see yourself in someone else’s shoes. This is at the heart of the conflict-resolution process. You don’t have to agree with people to understand their point of view.
• Let the other person know that you’ve tried to see her or his perspective. It helps to establish cooperation and trust and puts you in a better position to work out a solution together.
• State your own point of view after you feel that you understand the other person’s point of view.
• Be positive. Talk about what you want and why, instead of what you don’t want. Focus on the future rather than rehashing old problems.
• Agree on a general solution and then work out specifics. Just seeing yourselves as partners looking for a solution is an important step. This provides both parties with a stake in making the solution work.

  Contributed by Exchange, The Early Childhood Leaders' Magazine Since 1978

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