The Power of Trying in Conflict Management
The power of trying often gets a bad rap in today’s culture. I remember years ago being told that “if you’re trying, you’re planning to fail.”
Nike says “Just do it”.
And I just saw a marque sign outside of a local middle school quoting Yoda from Star Wars saying, “Do or Do not. There is no Try.”
Harsh judgements about trying aren’t true
I don’t think any of those sayings about trying are true. When my clients and students become conscious of their part in a conflict, and are willing to change their behavior with a difficult person, or to change the way they think about a disagreement, or understand the real source of their pain, they are beginning to access new information and approaches that were inconceivable before.
I always encourage them with information about neural plasticity and how we can change our neural connections. The neural pathways we currently have for a response to conflict or a particular issue are like super highways with strong, wide, automatic connections, but we can begin to forge new connections that are more helpful to us.
Contempt for trying==perfectionism
I think that this contempt for trying is really associated with perfectionism, which allows no room for mistakes, for false starts, for incomplete attempts. I believe the expectation that we must make the change immediately and make it stick right away sets us up for failure and reinforces the old way.
Not trying may feel safer but you don’t grow.
You can read about something forever and not change anything. People who are serious about learning a new skill, or about art and writing or helping themselves or others resolve conflict know it is messy trying that gets us there.
Being willing to try to do things differently is powerful.
Trying, and maybe failing completely the first time, forgetting to try the new way until afterwards, trying, and succeeding a little, trying and succeeding one time and then reverting to the old pattern the next time, are all part of the process of changing one’s behavior in conflict. This transformation requires patience, repetition, and practice. But if it helps you create an ally of an adversary, work through a difference with a cherished colleague or friend, isn’t it worth the effort? I know it has been for me and my clients.
About Lorraine Segal
As a teacher, trainer, consultant, and coach, I am passionately committed to helping people in organizations and companies learn skills to release conflicts and misunderstandings, communicate better, heal from bullying, and create a more harmonious and productive workplace. I teach communication, bullying awareness, and conflict management skills at Sonoma State University and online, and create customized programs for businesses, non profits, and the public sector, as well as working with individual managers and employees.I am also a consultant, coach, and trainer for County of Sonoma. For more information about how we might work together, or to request a free short consult or a full session, visit ConflictRemedy.com
© Lorraine Segal Conflict Remedy 2018