[fmco soundbites] Conflict at home

Image of a women in boxing gloves punching a man, used as a metaphor for conflict and conflict management

I wrote this soundbite yesterday on my social media channel and thought I’ll post it here as well.

(1 June 2021) Day 1 of Malaysia’s #fmco aka MCO 3.0.

When we are locked in with the rest of the family, there will be stress because we may feel we are pulled in different directions all at the same time. We are bound to find ourselves in #disagreements (aka #conflict) more often than ‘normal’. (What is normal now, btw?)

Here are some #communication tips for you:

  1. Stay calm. Count to 10, 20, 30 … 100. Walk away for awhile if you have to. But come back to resolve the situation. Avoidance is not the best policy sometimes.
  2. Acknowledge how to feel but remove emotion when crafting your response. This brings your thought process into the rational part of the brain.
  3. Assume good intentions in the other person.
  4. Listen to the whole message.
  5. Separate facts from opinions.
  6. Use non-threatening language in your response.
  7. Stay committed to the relationship and family bonds.
  8. Express hope that everyone can come to an agreement.



I know it is easier said and done. I can tell you of the times I have lived to regret it. Thankfully, I have learned to find a better way.

Don’t you think these can apply in the workplace as well? (when we get back to working from the office, that is.)

#conflictmanagement #mindfulness #conflictresolution #communication #gp #trainergina #ginaphan

(Image by Ryan McGuire from pixabay.com)


About the Author: Gina Phan is a consultant and trainer with Zinfinity Consulting. She currently conducts courses in workplace performance skills. Click here to contact her, follow her on Facebook or connect with her on Linkedin.

Read her other posts.

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