Conflict Resolution and Collaboration Series
How to deal with conflict among neighbors, suggestions on responding, have your voice heard, and finding common ground.
The Office of Neighborhood Coordination (ONC) wants to support neighborhood leaders with quality information and training in the important ongoing mission of “Creating Community Together.” Leaders play a central role to develop associations that are inclusive of people with different views and have a respectful climate that encourages positive relationships within the neighborhood. Of course, the flip side of positive relationships can mean conflict.
An Introduction to the Conflict Resolution and Collaboration Series
It is important to begin by remembering that, if you are struggling with “people problems” in your neighborhood association, you are not alone.
Best Practices to Prevent Conflict
Conflict is a state of disagreement, opposition, contention, competition, or tension between individuals or groups of people.
Moving from Debate to Dialogue
How can a leader shift the discussion climate from debate and argument to dialogue and learning?
Improving Your Perspective
Learn how to respond instead of react to a situation by trying to improve your perspective.
Maintain Your Self-Control
Learn how to respond instead of react to a situation by maintaining your self-control.
Moving Forward Through Challenging Conversations
Methods to have a challenging conversation that will clear the air and ultimately, help you move forward together.
Setting Appropriate Boundaries
Some ideas on how to set limits, so others recognize and change inappropriate or disrespectful behavior.
Building Trust as a Leader
Watch for opportunities to develop a working level of trust with others in your association and your neighborhood. How can you apply these proven principles for increasing trust?
Modeling Respect as a Leader
Ways that a leader can model respect and develop a respectful climate in their organization.
Planning for a Successful Meeting
Good meetings are the result of a few consistent practices. Prepare well.
Building Consensus
Learn how your association can have the quality, respectful discussions necessary to speak with ‘one voice’ by building consensus.
Turn Dispute into a Deal
Learn how your association can have the quality, respectful discussions necessary to speak with ‘one voice’ by using principled negotiation to turn the dispute into a deal.
Preventing Polarization in your Association
All the skills of communication, conflict resolution, and collaboration are ways to prevent conflict from escalating into polarization which divides a community. However, it is important to pay attention for warning signs because polarization can be so damaging.
Be Goal-Focused
What steps can a neighborhood association take to become better organized and more focused in its planning?