Managing Conflict Through Communication

Why is Creativity Important in Conflict Management?

Creativity is important in conflict management for a variety of reasons. The most important of these reasons is that it helps conflicts come to equitable, mutually beneficial conclusions much more quickly when creativity is used. Most of us are conditioned to go on the defensive when handling conflicts. This always puts us in an adversarial position to the other person and them to us. If both parties in a conflict are in adversarial positions, they will have a hard time coming to a pleasant conclusion to the conflict. Each will be pushing the other to give in, which will only create feelings of resentment on both sides. Either one party will give in and feel angry about it, or neither will give in and the relationship between the two parties will be damaged or broken. Neither is a good outcome.

However, if creativity is used in conflict management, things can be much different. A creative person will look at all possible angles of the conflict and will choose possible solutions that are "outside the box." The creative person won't see a conflict as defensive, but as an open channel for communication and a better understanding of each other. There will be no pushing to get his or her side to be victorious. Instead, there will be communication that is meant to help both parties come up with a solution to their conflict that benefits them both.

The creative person will invite the other party into an open dialogue of potential solutions to the problem, some of which may be unconventional, but will work. By putting both minds in the conflict together to come up with a solution that both can live with, it shows the other party that their adversary cares about them and their position, and so that person will be more willing to cooperate in coming up with an equitable solution to the problem. It can even be fun brainstorming different solutions. When the solution is achieved, the relationship is usually the stronger for it.