“Before we get deeper into a discussion of some of the other key elements of conflict resolution, let me give you a thumbnail sketch of **the steps involved in resolving a conflict between ourselves and somebody else.** There are five steps in this process. Either side may express their needs first, but for the sake of simplicity in this overview, let’s assume we begin with our needs. - “First, **we express our own needs**. - ”Second, **we search for the real needs of the other person**, no matter how they are expressing themselves. If they are not expressing a need, but instead an opinion, judgment, or analysis, we recognize that, and **continue to seek the need behind their words**, the need underneath what they are saying. - ”Third, **we verify that we both accurately recognize the other person’s needs**, and if not, continue to seek the need behind their words. - ”Fourth, **we provide as much empathy as is required for us to mutually hear** each other’s needs accurately. - “And fifth, having clarified both parties’ needs in the situation, **we propose strategies for resolving the conflict**, framing them in positive action language.“ --- **Tags** -- [[quotes]], [[personal-needs]], [[expressing-needs]], [[communication-skills]], [[empathy]], [[listening]], [[conflict]], [[crucial-conversations]] **Source** -- [[251115105628 - B - Nonviolent Communication]]