Conflict is inevitable; you will have differences of perspectives and priorities around issues.

Think about conflict as having two faces: external and internal.

The external face of conflict is what we typically think of: the shouting, the screaming, the outwardly expressed anger.

The internal face of conflict is different: it is quiet seething, an iceberg of emotions where the surface is pleasant enough, but the danger lies beneath. Or some manifestation of passive-aggression.

Between these two extremes lies a healthy middle, where difficult issues can be raised, addressed, and resolved without doing lasting damage to relationships.

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The goal is not to eliminate these conflicts, rather to manage them through healthy mindsets and tools.

Start by recognizing that conflicts are all part of the human experience.

(more on healthy conflict management and resolution in future posts)