When resolving a conflict, it’s important to understand that neither side may get everything they want. Accepting this will make it easier for you to approach a tense situation with an open mind.

Just as you want the other individual to be open to considering your points of view, you have to be open enough to consider the points which they bring up in your conversation. Often, if both parties are open-minded and flexible, you’ll be able to come up with a win-win solution which suits both parties. 

This tip is especially important when trying to resolve a conflict that brings up a lot of anger in either one or multiple parties.

In general, it is best not to try to resolve an issue when you are extremely angry. Instead, it is better to walk away from the problem for a few minutes or even a day until you have cooled down and can think more clearly. Unfortunately, though, this is not always possible.

If you must address a conflict that is likely to bring up feelings of anger, anxiety, etc., then you should take a moment to pause and breathe whenever necessary. Taking deep, slow breaths can help you relax and may give you even a few more seconds to respond, which can be invaluable in difficult conversations.

In particularly difficult situations, it may be in your best interests to find an impartial mediator to facilitate your discussion. An experienced mediator will be able to help you deal with interpersonal conflict by directing questions to each party and ensuring that your conversation stays on topic. 

This person can be a couple’s therapist, a professional mediator for workplace disputes, etc. 

In heated debates, individuals can often resort to getting too personal or using insults to try and hurt the other individual. In order to resolve conflict, it’s important to stay on track and to keep your conversation related to the key issues at hand in order to find a positive solution.