Hi. I'm Julie Tietz. And welcome to Conflict Resolution, Putting the Pieces Together. Today, we're going to talk about creating buy-in to a conflict resolution process, so how we can really encourage parties to attempt conflict resolution to help resolve their conflict.
There are a number of reasons why parties may be reluctant to engage in conflict resolution. And it's our job then as a conflict intervener to really steer them towards the process and get them to feel that they are in control and have ownership and investment in participating in the conflict resolution process.
And so we're essentially creating a buy-in, so getting them to have a willingness to participate in the process. And this is based upon their perception of ownership. So if the parties feel and realize that they are really in control of the process, they are going to feel more invested and really buy into the process, because it's their own and it's not forced upon them or their resolution isn't going to be created by somebody else, but rather by the parties themselves.
And our role as an intervener is really to give them this reassurance that the process is yours and we are going to make every effort to assist you through this process and giving a good faith attempt to engage in the process. As I said earlier, there are a variety of reasons why parties may be reluctant to engage in conflict resolution processes.
And as an intervener, it's our role to recognize that some of the factors could include they're unfamiliar with conflict resolution, what the process is about, and what their role is in the process. And they may have a fear of losing, that if they engage in a conflict resolution process, they may lose out on some of the benefits maybe they have with engaging in the conflict to begin with.
And they also may have some anxiety about face to face meanings with the other party. And finally, they may believe that that resolution isn't possible. Their conflict is so complex or intense that, no matter what they do, it's not possible to resolve the issues that are a part of their conflict and the reasons why they are engaging in this conflict with the other party.
And the intervener's role to reassure them or to explain about conflict resolution is really to lay out the process, to let them know that they are in charge of what's happening, they are there to really work out their issues and see if there are possible solutions that are created by the parties and not by the intervener.
And also, as the intervener, we want to be sure that we're going to select the right process for the parties. There are a whole variety of conflict resolution processes. And as an intervener, we need to assess the conflict and explore, with the parties, their desirability and figure out which process is going to best fit them.
We also want to explore the benefits of conflict. Sometimes parties are in conflict and they are in the conflict, because it's meeting their needs and interests. And as an intervener, we need to really look at those benefits and explore and see if the parties are actually wanting to have a resolution or if they would rather remain in the conflict and let it continue.
And really, the ultimate decision to participate in conflict resolution processes are with the party. And our role as an intervener is not to force people to go into this process. And also, it's our not our role to make promises or compel parties to participate. Because as an intervener, we are neutral. And we are really there to facilitate the process for the parties, not force them or make promises that we can't keep or make.
Let's look at our key points on creating buy-in. We know that sometimes parties are reluctant to participate in conflict resolution processes, for a variety of reasons. And it's our job, or part of our role, as a conflict intervener to really create investment and ownership for the parties, to show them that participating in the conflict resolution process is in their control. And this will create buy-in and parties' willingness to participate.
And our role as an intervener, again, is to really lay out the process, facilitate the process, and explore with the parties any benefits they may be having in engaging in the conflict and to see if they really even want to participate in a conflict resolution process or if they would rather remain within the conflict.
Here are your key terms before we go. Feel free to pause and look at them a little bit closer Thanks for taking the time out to view this and I can't wait to catch you again next time.
