The Conflict Expert

In the midst of conflict, whether in the workplace, in your personal relationships or on the international stage, you can step back and take a bird’s eye view of it. Why? Because it distances you from the emotional impact on you, helps you to see your opponent’s perspective which is crucial in finding solutions that last.

That’s why conflict mapping is so useful, especially when conducted together with your opponent during mediation. Essentially, a visual representation that illustrates the various elements and relationships within a conflict, this technique not only clarifies the positions and interests of the involved parties but also aids in identifying pathways to resolution.​

Understanding Conflict Mapping

Conflict mapping involves creating a diagram that captures the key components of a conflict, including the parties involved, their relationships, interests, and the issues at stake. This visual tool allows for a clearer analysis of its complexities by externalising the conflict onto paper or a digital medium which enables individuals to assess the situation objectively , minimising emotional biases that often hinder resolution efforts.

Key Steps of a Conflict Map

1. Parties Involved: Identify all primary and secondary parties. Primary parties are those directly engaged in the conflict, while secondary parties may include allies, supporters, or those indirectly affected.
2. Issues at Stake: Clearly outline the specific issues or points of contention that have led to the conflict.​ In a work dispute, division of labour, clearly defining roles, work environment, acceptable behaviour and clear communication are just a few of them that bring employees into conflict.
3. Interests and Needs: Distinguish between the stated positions of the parties and their underlying interests or needs. Positions are explicit demands that polarise parties, whereas interests are the fundamental motivations driving those demands.​ Maintaining one’s professional reputation may motivate a dispute about work distribution, the former being a interest. A need might relate to one’s ego.
4. Relationships and Dynamics: Examine the nature of the relationships between parties, including power dynamics, alliances, and historical contexts that may influence current interactions.​
5. External Factors: Consider external elements such as cultural, social, economic, or environmental factors that may be impacting the conflict.​ In an international workplace, a person’s culture may communicate in a way that others find unacceptable and this needs to be taken into consideration.

Steps to Create a Conflict Map

1. Define the Conflict: Clearly articulate the central issue or issues causing the conflict.​
2. Identify the Parties: List all individuals, groups, or entities involved, noting their roles and levels of involvement.​
3. Determine Relationships: Use lines or arrows to depict the relationships between parties, indicating alliances, oppositions, or neutral stances.​
4. Highlight Interests and Positions: Note each party’s stated positions and delve deeper to uncover their underlying interests or needs.​
5. Analyse External Factors: Incorporate any external influences that may be contributing to the conflict’s dynamics.​
6. Identify Potential Solutions: Based on the mapped information, brainstorm possible resolutions that address the interests of all parties involved.​ In particular, look at the goals and interests of each conflicting party and see whether they align. How could a solution mutually benefit both?
7. beneficial resolution.

You don’t even have to share your conflict map but it’s a great way for you to put yourself into the picture in any conflict, especially a complex one and see it objectively and with clarity. This kind of analysis will give you a comprehensive understanding of interests and issues which are not always obvious. The point is to create strategies that work for you and help you to separate the emotions from the dispute.

As always, I’d love to read your thoughts and views on this very practical tool !