Mass Appeal TV Show Segment: The Upside of Conflict

The ability to respectfully discuss our differing points of view is a hallmark of adult civility.
Insistence on agreement (I’m right and you’re wrong!), name-calling, and other forms of bullying, abuse, or domination show that respect has been discarded.
When people speak honestly with one another our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs are bound to be at least slightly different.
Disagreement, therefore, simply validates the great diversity of experiences and perspectives among us.
It helps to approach our differences with a positive, calm tone.
When a conflict has brought painful feelings (hurt, sadness, embarrassment) these deserve to be validated and explored, often as a first step toward gaining a shared understanding.
Respectfully listening to another person’s view and sharing our own can broaden understanding and build trust.
Sometimes the understanding that’s reached is simply agreement to disagree.
When in disagreement about significant matters with the people who matter most to us (for example, when a couple must decide where they will live, who will take responsibility for which chores, how major decisions will be made) it’s important to talk the conflict through in order to reach solutions acceptable to all who are involved.
Compromise is the key in such circumstances.
Avoiding conflict can lead to resentment and emotional distance in a relationship.
Addressing conflict opens the path to mutual understanding and greater closeness.