Member-only story
How to Deal With Fearing Conflict
There’s more to lose by fearing conflict than embracing conflict.
People fear conflict like the plague.
In some aspects, this is a good thing. If everyone overemphasized conflict, we would live in a very unpleasant world.
Stay in your lane. Don’t ruffle anyone’s feathers. Keep the peace.
But to avoid conflict at all costs? That is just as, if not more costly.
There is a major reason why we fear conflict. By understanding why, we are better equipped to move past the fear and address conflict head-on.
We Fear the Relationship Will Escalate
The thought process goes something like this:
I approach a friend with a problem I have with their behavior.
The friend becomes defensive and throws the problem back on me.
I push back and the conversation escalates into a full-blown argument.
The friend brings up unrelated topics that aren’t relevant to my initial grievance.
Now we’re both pissed and end up on non-speaking terms.
End scene.
