By Natalie Irons, Associate Director, Instructional Coaching, UCLA Center X
I’m thinking a lot about how conflict looks, sounds and feels as I engage in my work. I’ve noticed that I feel more agitated or frustrated in some meetings, more than in others. And so, I have been doing a semi-action research project of my own to investigate what and where does conflict emerge and what do I do about it.
In reading about conflict, some say it comes about about from unmet expectations. I came across this quote about conflict and I had to chuckle out loud. Alan Greenspan has been quoted as saying, “I know you think you understand what you thought I said but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.” Wow! This is how hard communicating about conflict can be!
In a recent chat, a dear colleague asked me, “What does conflict sound like to you?” While I know the response I feel in my body, I am still uncovering what the actual conflict is, in words, in non-verbals, in what is not said. I’d love to hear from you. What do you notice about conflict? What are some of the ways you respond to conflict?
If you’d like to extend the conversation, please join the Coaches Chat this Wednesday from 12pm-1pm.