What are the Best Ways to Resolve a Dispute?

Instead of facing a conflict or a dispute head on, some people may choose to ignore it, hoping that it will go away. Most experts, however, agree that the best way to resolve a dispute is to deal with it as soon as possible. By meeting and talking through a dispute or conflict while staying calm, listening, and compromising, many individuals can resolve a dispute calmly and without incident.

Most experts agree that the first step towards resolving a dispute is meeting face to face. Setting aside time to resolve a dispute allows all parties involved to concentrate on the problem at hand. The meeting should be held at a time that is convenient for everyone and on neutral territory. This way, there will be no question as to whether one side has an advantage over another.

Each party involved in the dispute may benefit from planning out each of their arguments. This strategy can help people stay calm. Yelling and screaming does not help resolve a dispute. It often exacerbates the situation, since many people will say something that they do not mean or will regret later. Staying calm during a discussion often not only helps get a point across, but usually helps when listening to the other side's points as well.

When trying to resolve a dispute, being respectful and listening without interrupting is important. Instead of forming a comeback while another person is talking, actually hearing what he has to say can make a difference. By doing this, a person can truly hear what the other party is trying to say. Also, a person shouldn't try to read the other people's minds, or assume that he knows just what they are thinking. These assumptions are often wrong, and generally lead to feelings of resentment, which make it harder to resolve a dispute.

Most dispute resolution involves some sort of compromise. The goal of these types of discussions is to come up with some sort of solution that is beneficial to all parties involved. If this can not be accomplished, alternative mediation methods may be required.

During a legal dispute, the first step that is often taken is mediation. This occurs when a third party is brought in to oversee the discussion. This third party is responsible for keeping the discussion focused and on track. Usually she will just listen, but sometimes, she may offer possible solutions. This way of resolving a dispute is common during a relationship or family dispute.

Arbitration is similar to mediation. The third party that is involved, however, is not only responsible for keeping the discussion on track, but also for offering a solution to the problem. This type of dispute resolution is often used during a business or other legal dispute.