Mindfulness for Conflict Management

We tend to think of mindfulness as personal experience and meditation, not corporate and business. But the truth is, mindfulness also has the ability to bring substantial positive benefits to the process of conflict resolution. Conflict management is the process of resolving differences in people and organizations, so a positive approach toward conflict can create a more productive work environment. The practice of conflict resolution can be highly effective if it incorporates the development of a conflict management strategy.

Achieving peace in an organizational culture can be done through creating a shared vision for the future and a process for managing change in the present. When people are not working toward the same goals and expectations, their interactions become adversarial, negative and even destructive. When people are working toward the same goals and expectations, their interactions become constructive and productive. When people are striving toward the same goals and expectations, their interactions become mutually beneficial. A vision of the future that is shared among the people in an organization helps to prevent problems from arising, and a plan for managing change in the present creates opportunities for increased productivity. Mindfulness, by definition, involves awareness, attention, and compassion.

Mindfulness may not be the best way to achieve this goal of increased productivity in the present, but the future can look brighter if it is implemented. When people are motivated to work toward the same goals and aspirations, they can be more successful in the present and in the future. In addition, people who feel connected to their work are more likely to remain committed to it. In addition, people who are aware of their own energy levels and feelings are more likely to be able to use these energies and emotions when it comes to managing change. By creating a strategic plan and engaging in conflict resolution techniques that include mindful awareness, people can reap the benefits of mindfulness and learn how to effectively deal with conflict at the workplace.