What surprised me the most about the definition of conflict is that conflict resolution is the removal of the severity of the conflict between the parties, which does not eliminate the causes. Conflict management is purposeful due to objective laws influencing the dynamics of the conflict in the interests of development or destruction of the social system to which the conflict relates (Barsky, 2017). Conflict management is the removal of contradictions that caused the conflict and establishing normal relations between the warring parties. Conflict resolution involves the elimination of the source of the dispute, and its settlement means the cessation of conflict actions and hostility, reducing the significance of the source and the causes of the conflict.
The main point about conflict is that the successful solution to common problems increases the degree of mutual trust, which reduces the risk of excessive openness in communication. This is a moment of utmost importance because people often do not even realize that one can work with the person with whom they are in conflict. An example that illustrates the importance of mindfulness in conflict resolution is the acceptance of the other party’s opinion. For example, if the conflicting parties are at different levels of the hierarchy and have unequal amounts of power, those with more power may decide to change the formal structure in their favor. Another example is conflict resolution through negotiation because here, it is necessary to take into account an important condition: the participation of the parties authorized to make decisions on changes. Otherwise, negotiations without responsible leaders may remove the contradictions of the parties, and hostile relations, but the fundamental interests will remain unresolved.
Reference
Barsky, A. (2017). Conflict resolution for the helping professions: Negotiation, mediation, advocacy, facilitation, and restorative justice (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 23-54