Using Perspective as a Strategy

View conflict from both sides The Lens Model of Conflict

In a conflict each person views: 1. Oneself 2. The other person 3. The relationship People may go in to a conflict with good intentions, but the other person has a much more negative perception. We tend to make assumptions about our behaviors and other peoples behaviors When something bad happens to us we assume it is out of our control, and an external source is the one to blame (someone elses fault) When we make these assumptions it tends to benefit ourselves at someone elses expense.

Strategy
Identify your filter Identify past or current events that have shaped your perspective Journal how you feel during conflict, then detail how you think the other person in the conflict feels Develop shared view of conflict Work towards resolution as a joint, as opposed to individual attributions acknowledge personality descriptions of yourself and other gives opportunity to have your filter corrected, need interaction from other person Verbally communicate the origin of conflict and factual occurrence Incorporate third party to receive new perspective on conflict Needs to be as unbiased as possible Able to use own attributions of

Identify the Filters on Your Lens

Here are a couple examples of possible filters: 1.Gender Boys, autonomy and independence girls, connection with others, communication of care & responsiveness 2. Culture individualistic, individual achievement success is most important, direct collectivistic, group oriented success, thinking as a whole group, harmony, indirect