Conflict Resolution Strategy Facing Uneven Bargaining Power: A Real Life Example of Conflict Resolution Strategies in Play
Last week I got into a legal dispute with a large company. Let’s just say this company is annually in the billions of dollars and I’m in the thousands of dollars. My trusty conflict resolution strategies and tactics have served me well, but I’m up against a whale of an opponent. First of all, the legal counsel is a bitch. I wouldn’t call her a bitch if she wasn’t but she is. Secondly, they have the company bankroll to toss around on just these sort of endeavors whereas I’m dealing with personal money and time in roadblocking the bullying tactics they’re trying to employ.
Sometimes you're just on uneven bargaining position.
Despite coming from a weak bargaining position, you can still out-maneuver and disarm your opponent. In my case, I have remained firm in my stance but started making the emails less formal, signing just my first name or assessing the situations in non-formal tones. This has taken the attorney down a notch and made her easier to deal with. Notice how I said I remained firm.
Even though you are seeking a resolution to conflict in an amicable manner, you never want to loosen in the end result and there’s no two ways about what you ultimately want unless you compromise the substance. So what you want to do is give in and bend on issues of pride and who is cooler than the other person. So, in essence, she wins in that I give her more respect and stroke her ego, while I win in moving toward my goals and objectives.
Never forget that conflict resolution is about getting what you want. You’re resolving the conflict to satisfy you. In doing so, you sacrifice immaterial things so your opponent gives into you. In a case like this, I don’t care if I’m more respectful than this bitch deserves. All I care about is I get what I want. Then I get the results and she can feel good about herself in her office. In the end, I win materially and she feels good in her head.
Folks, that is what you need to learn about resolving conflicts. It’s about the end game. Don’t lose sight of what’s important and what’s not. Ego is one of those things that people get lost in. Let your opposition get their ego stroked until their head is about to explode. Meanwhile, you swoop in with your conflict resolution strategies and win! This is how to resolve conflicts and win 101 right here, baby!
Conflict Resolution Strategies on a Real Life Example of Conflict Resolution