Conflict is an inevitable part of all relationships, whether it’s between friends, family members, or romantic partners. But while most people view conflict as something to be avoided at all costs, it can actually be a powerful tool for improving your relationships and boosting your confidence. In this blog post, we’ll explore five ways you can use conflict to improve your relationships and boost your confidence. By understanding how to handle conflicts in healthy ways, you’ll be able to create stronger connections with the people around you and gain more self-assurance in yourself. 

1. Don’t be afraid to express your opinion: All too often, people avoid conflict because they don’t want to rock the boat. But speaking up for yourself is a crucial part of healthy relationships and gaining confidence. If you have an opinion on something or disagree with someone, make sure to express it in a respectful yet honest way. This will show the other person that you are capable of standing up for yourself, and it will help them understand your point of view better.
2. Listen to the other person: Too often conflicts arise because one or both parties aren’t really listening to each other. Make sure to give the other person a chance to express their point of view and really try to understand where they are coming from. This will not only help you resolve the issue more quickly, but it also shows that you value the other person’s opinion and respect their perspective (which is ultimately what you want to receive back from them too).
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help: If the conflict between you and another person seems too complicated or heated to handle on your own, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. A third-party mediator (like a friend, family member, or therapist) can provide an objective viewpoint and help both you and the other person come to a resolution more quickly.  Plus, everyone is usually on better behavior when there’s a third person in the room, also helping conflict resolve more quickly.
4. Take responsibility: It’s easy to blame the other person when something goes wrong, but it takes courage to admit your own mistakes and take responsibility for them. Taking ownership of your mistakes will show the other person that you’re mature enough to handle conflicts in a healthy way, and it can also lead to greater trust and understanding between the two of you.  It’s also often one of the few things you can control in a conflict – taking responsibility for your own behavior.
5. Don’t be afraid to apologize: Apologizing when you’ve done something wrong is one of the most important aspects of resolving conflicts in a healthy way. Saying sorry doesn’t mean you’re weak — it shows the other person that you can admit when you’ve made a mistake and take responsibility for it. Apologizing also shows that you value the relationship more than your pride, which can be an incredibly powerful gesture.

By following these five tips, you’ll be able to use conflict to your advantage and improve relationships in both your personal and professional life. Not only will you be better equipped to handle challenging situations, but you’ll also gain more confidence in yourself as you learn how to navigate conflicts in healthier ways.  Plus, not feeling scared or avoidant of conflict because you know how to navigate it is a huge boost for your confidence too.

And if you want more support in navigating conflict or improving your confidence, the experts at Lisa Eaton Therapy can help you do just that. 

Reach out to us for more information on how to get started.