Respect is quite often the most important catalyst for resolving conflicts. It’s not always easy to offer to an opponent, in part due to conflicting ideas of what “respect” means. Respectful conflict resolution requires active listening, empathy and a proactive approach to future conflicts. In this article, we’ll discuss the power of respect and how to use it to resolve conflicts effectively.
Between social media and news, we’re bombarded with conflict. In fact, negative emotions are at record levels across the globe. Interpersonal tension is inescapable. It’s stressful. Interactions with perfect strangers can have us walking on eggshells. We’ve all seen how one misstep can set off a firestorm of public shaming. I’m not talking about political correctness. I’m referring to basic respect. Three octogenarian strangers in a waiting room agreed, and shared some age-old lessons for fostering respect in our polarized world.
Our world grieves the loss of Senator John McCain, an extraordinary American war hero and political maverick. Regardless of whether our political convictions aligned with his, most agree Senator McCain leaves a legacy of courage, perseverance, civility and service. He reminded us of radical ideals binding US citizens, "Despite our differences, much more unites us than divides us. We are fellow Americans, and that's an association that means more to me than any other." In a chance encounter, he revealed his humble character to me. From that fortuitous meeting, I gleaned a transformative lesson.
