How can you improve your conflict resolution storytelling skills?

Apply the Covey habit of seeking first to understand then to be understood is always a good first step. Be open minded, reflect and adjust.

What does each character 'in conflict' actually want? As NVC (Non Violent Communication) says we are all expressing unmet needs, so really dig to see what needs are not being met here. When you know what is really driving each emotion, then you can look at how it might be resolved whilst still meeting each character's needs

Storytelling has always been the go to tool during conflicting situations for me. I start by first defining what seems to be the problem and look for triggers that made it one. Most of the time, we end up tagging something as a problem just because we are unaware of it or are uncomfortable about it. Having an open mind and gathering triggers that point towards the problem can help us identify the conflict quickly and effectively.

Among the main benefits of putting yourself in someone else's shoes are the following: It constitutes important support for effective conflict resolution. Improves social skills. Generates feelings of personal well-being. It makes it easier to connect with other people. Allows you to gain the respect of others. Strengthens self-esteem. Increases emotional intelligence. Helps improve emotion management.

Placing the situation and the people involved in the context of well known storytelling structures and archetypes can give a good sense of the type of story you are dealing with, and give you a structure to use.

This is the essence of all storytelling and more widely communication. How you construct your storytelling/stories will define the impact that you will be making. Always keep the core principals - or layers as I call them in my storytelling model (the sprout model) - this will guide your story. Be sure to know the impact you want to make, the people that you are telling the story to, set starting context and direction, move into the main event and what in particular it is you are addressing, then bring clarity, conclusion and a lasting impression to the end point ... not forgetting to nurture the story with creativity, energy and perspective.

I like Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey as a narrative template involving three main stages: Departure, Initiation, and Return. In the Departure stage, the hero leaves their ordinary world following a call to adventure, often with reluctance. The Initiation phase involves the hero facing challenges, learning lessons, and undergoing transformation. The Return stage sees the hero coming back to the ordinary world, often with newfound wisdom or achievements to share. This structure is a universal pattern recognized in stories across various cultures and eras, highlighting the journey of growth and self-discovery.

When you're telling a story, it's important to talk about ▶how you felt and then share details. ➡Feelings are like the engine that powers any problem, so it's important to talk about how the problem affected you and others. ➡ Details, like facts, examples, or comparisons, are also important. They make your story interesting and help people believe you. When you mix feelings and details, your story becomes strong and convincing. ▶ It grabs people's attention and makes them understand your point of view better.

Typically when it comes to a conflict situation - emotion may well be a major driver of the feelings that are being experienced. Being aware and mindful of this will help to address the conflict. Whether it be the expression of your own feelings about the conflict situation or finding a way to respond respectfully to your audiences feelings > being aware emotionally will help the resolution.

Sharing how you felt or feel about a conflict and conveying how it has affected you is a vital step on the path towards improving your conflict resolution storytelling skills. Expressing your emotions, clearly and honestly, is a way to bridge the gap, create a connection, and elicit empathy, facilitating a deeper understanding with your audience.

Incorporate emotions and specific details to make your story more vivid and relatable. Showing how the conflict affects the characters involved on an emotional level can help the audience empathize with them.

Empathize with All Parties. Develop empathy for everyone involved in the conflict. Try to see the situation from their point of view and understand their motivations. When you tell the story, make sure to convey this empathy, as it helps in creating a balanced narrative that resonates with all parties. Incorporate Emotional Elements. Stories that tap into emotions are more engaging and memorable. Use emotional elements to illustrate the impact of the conflict and the positive outcomes of resolution. Showcasing the human side of conflicts helps in building a connection with the audience.

Active listening is essential for effective conflict resolution. Showing empathy to the other party helps to convey your message in an authentic tone in storytelling. People can relate with and connect to authenticity and when they can associate that with your storytelling, then you can be assured that you are making the needed impact.

Be receptive to your audience's reactions and be prepared to adapt your storytelling on the spot. This could mean emphasizing certain aspects of the story more, simplifying complex parts, or engaging the audience with questions to make the story interactive.

I got hooked on to storytelling as a toddler listening to stories told by my Grandmother and Aunts. I did not realise until much later that this little thing of listening to stories which started as a hobby will one day prompt me to be a storyteller myself. I owe my storytelling skills to them and I keep improving it by practicing listening, adapting, analysing, observing, paying attention to detail and connecting data points. Few activities that help me improve my storytelling skills are listening to Pod Casts, binge watching movies and web shows of multiple languages and my language learning habit.

To get better at telling stories about resolving conflicts, you can practice and follow some easy steps. First, figure out what the main issue is and understand how people feel about it. Try to see things from different points of view. When you tell the story, focus on how the conflict gets fixed, not just the problem. Use clear and positive words to explain things. Practice by pretending or sharing your own experiences with resolving conflicts. Ask others for feedback to know what you're doing well and where you can do better. With regular practice and adjustments, you can improve your storytelling about resolving conflicts.

La mejor forma de colocar a una persona en el lugar de otra es trasladarla a una situación paralela a través del Storytelling. Contar una historia diferente a modo de comparativa donde las personas implicadas en el conflicto puedan observar el tema "desde fuera" hace que se sientan más propensas a ver con otros ojos la situación, al no sentirse juzgados directamente.

Just remember that all communication is an opportunity storytelling, conflict resolution or not. The moment you view it through that lens you can really open yourself up to enhancing the impacts you can have every day through your life. Storytelling is not just for that big moment.... it is for the every moment. Stories. Change. Lives.

When dealing with conflict resolution through the use of stories, it’s best to balance both the directness and the gentleness of the situation. Stories employ metaphors which then leads to: ✅ people don't feel as attacked (indirect approach) ✅ people are more engaged (may feel seen) ✅ more brain centres light up (deeper decisions) These help us process things on a core emotional level which is more effective than if we remain in “sword-fighting” ⚔️ mode an intellectual level.

Among the main benefits of putting yourself in someone else's shoes are the following: It constitutes important support for effective conflict resolution. Improves social skills. Generates feelings of personal well-being. It makes it easier to connect with other people. Allows you to gain the respect of others. Strengthens self-esteem. Increases emotional intelligence. Helps improve emotion management.