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MICHELLE HELMAN CONSULTING, LLC
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Creative Approaches for Conflict Resolution

4/14/2023

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Photo of multi colored lightbulbs on a flat surface - by Dstudio Bcn on Unsplash

​Conflict and communication issues often arise when we are doing meaningful change work. I recently facilitated a session with Oregon Mediation Association addressing one of the most common questions I hear from clients:

How can we respond and navigate these challenges?


Creative activities can help us build the essential skills to repair and foster relationships, connection and belonging.
  • Our learned beliefs often influence our protective behaviors to get our needs met for safety, connection and belonging.
  • This is challenging when operating within a white supremacy culture focused on disconnection, blaming, avoidance, right to comfort, entitlement, to name a few.
  • Some antidotes include curiosity and play, engaging in discomfort and ongoing learning.
  • Note there is a difference between feeling UNsafe and UNcomfortable.

3 tools for your conflict resolution toolkit:
  1. Name something that’s true for you right now.
  2. Brainstorm what works, what gets in the way?
  3. Draw what success means to you.

Brainstorm ideas from the group:

What gets in the way?

  • FEAR: rejection, abandonment, retribution, physical and psychological safety
  • Discomfort, Uncertainty
  • Concern about perception and reputation
  • Feeling hurt, old wounds
  • Risk of losing status and connection
  • Worried about outcome
  • Triggers, trauma, amygdala hijack

What makes it work?

  • Hope, Curiosity
  • Desire for change and connection
  • Safe(r) space, being seen and heard
  • Opportunity to understand another person and selves on a deeper level
  • Confidence in our communication skills
  • Emotional self-regulation and awareness

Try it on for size, keep what works, and leave the rest!
Have questions? Please contact me.

Originally published on LinkedIn on February 28, 2023
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/creative-approaches-conflict-resolution-michelle-helman/
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    Hi, I'm Michelle, a Researcher & Educator focused on the nexus of health, development, and peacebuilding. You can also follow me on Twitter @michelle_helman

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