Let’s Talk About It: Turning Confrontation into Collaboration at Work

INTRODUCTION

I hate conflict; I really do. However, I have come to realize that avoiding it does not serve me or anyone else well. When I choose to bite my tongue and stop myself from discussing an issue that concerns or upsets me, I invariably become frustrated and then resentful not just toward the other person, but also toward myself for being too much of a wimp to initiate a conversation. Instead, I usually end up complaining to others in hopes of gaining sympathy under the guise of garnering advice. Sometimes I let my anger build to the point of losing my cool, and I speak sharply to the other person, which, frankly, is terribly unfair, as she may have had no idea that I was even upset. After losing my temper, I end up feeling worse about ...