Helping Others Resolve Conflicts
Mediate conflicts between others — helping two friends who are arguing by listening to both sides, helping them see each other's perspective, and guiding them toward a fair resolution
What a learner can do afterwards
- Listen to both sides of a conflict without taking sides initially
- Help each person articulate their perspective to the other
- Suggest a fair resolution or compromise that both parties can accept
The lesson
You already know how to work out your own disagreements with a friend. Helping two OTHER friends is a different job. When two people come to you both upset, you become a peacemaker. Your job is not to decide who is right. It is to help both of them feel heard and find a fix they both agree to.
Jordan and Priya are both mad about whose turn it is on the tire swing. They come to Casey. Casey listens to Jordan first, then listens to Priya. Casey says, 'Jordan, you feel like you waited the whole time. Priya, you feel like you just got here.' Then Casey asks, 'What if you each get five minutes?' Jordan and Priya both agree.
Do not pick a side before you hear both stories. If you agree with one friend right away, the other one will feel like it is two against one. Listen first, then help them find the fix together.
Listen to both sides without picking one, help each friend share their view with the other, then help them agree on a fair fix.
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.