Resolving Conflicts: Lessons from the Martial Arts

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There are many ways to think about conflict resolution. The challenge for a leader is finding the right set of lenses for looking at a particular situation. One metaphor suggests that “argument is war,” and it implies that there will be a winner and a loser. This perspective works well in combat, but it is poorly suited for most organizational conflicts. People who need to work together shouldn’t think of each other as enemies.

Organizational conflicts are best resolved when opposing parties work together to find creative solutions that meet each other’s needs. Unfortunately, this constructive ...

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