No matter where you might go in the world, there will always be conflict. It’s just a basic part of human nature. Not everyone is going to agree on everything. But just because there is conflict doesn’t mean people can’t come to some sort of compromise or some sort of peace at the same time. Choosing to learn how to work with conflict in a positive way will help everyone involved in the situation to get something they want and to help each person feel good about the situation. Since conflict isn’t going to end anytime soon, the job market for conflict resolution jobs is a growing field. From family conflict resolution to international conflict and more, if you find you’re a natural peacemaker, this might be the career choice for you.
What is Conflict Resolution?
A basic definition of conflict resolution is that there is a disagreement of some kind and some sort of solution is devised in order to resolve this conflict. For example, if two people are fighting over who gets to read a certain book, a schedule might be worked out to split up the reading time or a schedule might be created to allow one person the chance to read the book at some times, while the other waits. Conflict resolution’s goal is to help everyone involved in the conflict to feel positive about the outcome. While not everyone will get everything they want, the end result will be agreeable. Conflict resolution also provides a space in which all of the members of the conflict have a chance to hear what the others are saying and to express themselves as well in a safe setting.
What Skills Do You Need?
If you’re looking to become a part of the conflict resolution career path, you’re not alone. It will help if you begin your training by taking as many communications classes as you can. These classes will introduce you to different styles of communication while also helping you learn how to best express yourself as you will need to do so with your clients. You will also want to look into learning more abut the biggest conflicts of our time – wars, business and political fiascos, etc. In learning how others handled conflict, you can begin to see how you can teach others how to better handle conflict. Along the way, you will also want to look for training sessions in communication between two people, as most conflicts will be dealt with in large groups rather than simply between a couple of people. There are also conflict resolution specific classes you can take at some universities and colleges.
On the Job Training
Of course the best training for conflict resolution is to become a part of any meditating body you can. If your workplace offers this sort of service for employees, you might want to find out how you can become a part of this group as well. Or you might want to look for easy to volunteer your time at local therapy organizations that work with conflict resolution. Even simply volunteering with people will help you begin to learn conflict resolution skills as when you have people in the same situation, things are bound to cause conflict. Another place where you might be able to learn conflict resolution skills is in the debt collection sector or in the customer service office of your business. The more you deal with people, the more you will learn about how to mediate disagreements. If you have a labor union in your workplace, this can also be a great way to learn about how to handle the needs of a variety of people.
Do You Need to Be a Psychologist?
Many people believe they need to be a psychologist or have therapist training in order to get conflict resolution jobs. While it’s certainly not going to hurt, you don’t have to become a licensed therapist to provide mediation services. You will want to make up for any lack of training by having a lot of experience in mediation. Even being in a management role in your current job can help you become more aware of how to manage more than one person’s needs at a time. Of course, if you can take psychology and therapy training classes, this can be helpful as well, even if you don’t end up with the final therapy degree. You might also want to look for seminars on conflict resolution which might be offered by local universities and community centers.
Where Conflict Resolution is Needed
What’s fascinating about conflict resolution jobs is that they are available in nearly every sector of the world. For example, you might find that the business world is the place for you. In the business setting, you will be able to work with different people and companies to try to sort out the needs of each in order to come to a solution. Or you might find yourself in the HR (Human Resources) department, helping employees and bosses come to agreements with each other. Your local labor union is also a place where conflict resolution is regularly needed and used. Families and couples can also benefit from conflict resolution as they can not only have a place to voice their concerns, but also a way to learn new skills that they can use at a later time. The large political sphere also needs help with conflict resolution on a global level, while also requiring consulting help for smaller conflicts.
The Future is Now
No matter where you might see your future in conflict management, you have a strong chance of finding a job that’s just right for you. By giving people the opportunity to learn more about their communication skills and their ability to listen to others, you can instill a permanent change in the way your clients relate to themselves and to others and to the rest of the world. Conflict resolution isn’t about getting everyone what they want. This job is about helping everyone express their needs and then actively work toward solutions that consider everyone’s perspectives.