Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution is the process of resolving a dispute or a conflict by meeting at least some of each side’s needs and addressing their interests. Conflict resolution sometimes requires both a power-based and an interest-based approach, such as the simultaneous pursuit of litigation (the use of legal power) and negotiation (attempts to reconcile each party’s interests). There are a number of powerful strategies for conflict resolution.

Knowing how to manage and resolve conflict is essential for having a productive work life, and it is important for community and family life as well. Dispute resolution, to use another common term, is a relatively new field, emerging after World War II. Scholars from the Program on Negotiation were leaders in establishing the field.

Strategies include maintaining open lines of communication, asking other parties to mediate, and keeping sight of your underlying interests. In addition, negotiators can try to resolve conflict by creating value out of conflict, in which you try to capitalize on shared interests; explore differences in preferences, priorities, and resources; capitalize on differences in forecasts and risk preferences; and address potential implementation problems up front.

These skills are useful in crisis negotiation situations and in handling cultural differences in negotiations, and can be invaluable when dealing with difficult people, helping you to “build a golden bridge” and listen to learn, in which you acknowledge the other person’s points before asking him or her to acknowledge yours.

Articles offer numerous examples of dispute resolution and explore various aspects of it, including international dispute resolution, how it can be useful in your personal life, skills needed to achieve it, and training that hones those skills.

See full description

How Inadmissible Evidence Leads to Misjudging

PON Staff   •  10/02/2013   •  Filed in Conflict Resolution

Throughout the litigation process, judges gain new information at settlement conferences, motion hearings, discovery disputes, and the trial itself.

Inevitably, some of this information, though relevant to the case at hand, will be inadmissible under the rules of evidence.

Unfortunately, informational blinders can prevent judges from disregarding this information when making decisions. … Read How Inadmissible Evidence Leads to Misjudging

How Nervous Energy Affects Negotiators and Conflict Management

Katie Shonk   •  10/01/2013   •  Filed in Conflict Resolution

Negotiation is often characterized as a physiologically arousing event marked by pounding heart, queasy stomachs, and flushed faces. We might assume that heightened physiological arousal would mar our negotiation performance, but this is only true for some, researchers Ashley D. Brown and Jared R. Curhan of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found in a new … Learn More About This Program

“Confronting Evil” Panel Videos Now Available Online

PON Staff   •  06/07/2013   •  Filed in Conflict Resolution, Events, Videos

On Saturday, April 20, 2013, the Program on Negotiation co-hosted a conference on “Confronting Evil: Interdisciplinary Perspectives,” in partnership with the Mahindra Humanities Center at Harvard University and the Volkswagen Foundation.

Originally scheduled to commence on Friday, April 19th, the conference had to be condensed to a single day due to the lock-down of the Boston … Learn More About This Program

PON co-sponsored conference addresses the challenges of “Confronting Evil”

PON Staff   •  04/26/2013   •  Filed in Conflict Resolution

On Saturday, April 20th more than a hundred people came out to Harvard to attend the PON co-sponsored conference “Confronting Evil: Interdisciplinary Perspectives.”  Held just six days after the bombings at the Boston Marathon, and one day after many area residents were asked to “shelter in place” by the police during their search for the … Learn More About This Program

Conflict Management: Obama Compromises on Birth Control Rule

PON Staff   •  04/02/2013   •  Filed in Conflict Resolution

On February 1, the Obama administration proposed a compromise to a federal policy requiring health insurance plans to provide free contraceptives to women.

The proposal would expand the number of groups that need not pay directly for birth control coverage, the New York Times reports. Some religiously affiliated hospitals, universities, and social service agencies would join … Learn More About This Program

Negotiate, Don’t Litigate

PON Staff   •  04/02/2013   •  Filed in Conflict Resolution

When you’re thinking about resolving a dispute in court, it’s crucial to remember that the decision that will be imposed on you is binding.

If blinders lead a judge to grant a motion that should be denied, deny a motion that should be granted, assign responsibility to the wrong party, or award too much or … Read Negotiate, Don’t Litigate

Would you like us to inform you when new posts become available?

We hate spam as much as you do. You have our promise not to sell or share your email address — ever! Please read our privacy policy.