'Conflict' Doesn't Have To Be A Bad Word

There are plenty of unpleasant synonyms for the word 'conflict'.  Words like -  "argument"; “confrontation"; “clash”; “disruption”; “struggle”; “combat”; “fray”.  None of them really paint the picture of a good day.  But, consider this.

One of the most overlooked opportunities for positive change, is conflict.  Conflict can be leveraged so that it becomes a platform to strengthen relationships instead of erode them.

Conflict has the potential to facilitate much needed change and fundamental growth.  The very presence of conflict let’s us know that something is not as it should be.  More importantly, it let’s us know where changes need to be made.  Changes that are probably long overdue.    

Because of the immediate impact that conflict can bring to our day-to-day harmony and comfort zones, we have a tendency to focus our communication efforts towards putting out the fire, and less on preventing one from happening again.  

Extinguishing the fire is obviously critical, but resolving a problem won't keep another from occurring. 

Most of us don’t pay attention to underlying issues or problems until they make their way to the surface; until we’re forced to address them. 

When does conflict become a positive occurrence? 

Conflict becomes a positive event when we transition the goal of our conflict communication from simply addressing what happened, to finding purpose in the conflict itself.  

Bottom line, when we make conflict useful or constructive it ceases to be a negative event.  Instead of just trying to fix what happened, we use what happened as a platform for growth...for positive change.