What are the key elements in conflict resolution success stories?

Surprise is one key element. For example, in a story where two people were fighting over a parking space, instead of arguing more, one of them suddenly offered the other a cupcake. It was so unexpected that it immediately diffused the tension.

Communication. In any conflict resolution story, communication is key. Team members need to be able to talk to each other openly and honestly about their issues. For example, if two people are arguing about a task, they need to communicate what they expect and why.

One key element is communication. The project manager needs to listen to all parties involved in the conflict. For example, if there's a conflict between two departments in a project, the project manager should give each department a chance to explain their side. Another element is objectivity. They can't take sides but should look at the facts. Like in a situation where there's a dispute over resource allocation, the project manager should base their decision on actual project needs.

A family had an ongoing conflict between siblings over an inheritance. Instead of fighting in court, they decided to go to mediation. The mediator helped them understand each other's needs and feelings. Eventually, they came up with a creative solution where they divided the inheritance in a way that satisfied everyone. This not only resolved the conflict but also strengthened their family bond.

Flexibility also plays a crucial role. Take the case of a school where teachers and parents had a conflict over the curriculum. When both sides were flexible enough to make some adjustments, a new curriculum plan was developed that met the educational goals of the school and the expectations of the parents.

The story of 'The Rainbow Fish' is great. The Rainbow Fish has beautiful scales but is very vain and won't share them. As a result, the other fish don't want to be his friend. Eventually, he realizes that sharing his scales makes him happier and he has more friends. It teaches children about the importance of sharing to resolve conflicts.

A great conflict resolution story typically has a relatable conflict that engages the readers. The resolution should not be too easy or too contrived. It should show the characters learning and evolving as a result of overcoming the conflict.

Often, they include characters facing challenges, trying different solutions, and eventually reaching a positive outcome. The themes might involve friendship, teamwork, or personal growth.

One way is to make the stories relatable. For example, use characters that are similar to the children in age or situation. When children can see themselves in the story, they are more likely to understand and apply the conflict resolution methods.

Here's one. In an office, two colleagues were constantly bickering over the use of the coffee machine. They finally resolved it by creating a coffee schedule with funny doodles on it. It not only stopped the conflict but also made the whole office laugh. Every time they looked at the schedule, they remembered how silly they were being before.