Conflicts happen often, especially when each parties wants the best for the situation but in their own ways.
The biggest
conflict I ever had was with one of my groupmates over our final year project.
As it was our final year project and we had to compete with another group, we
were very tensed up and stressed about it. Despite having to commit to our
attachments, we put in a lot of efforts and was very determined to do well for
the project. As a result, we sacrificed our sleeping time and burnt our weekends
while being tired and time-strapped.
The conflict happened on a Sunday night where we have
to get up early in the morning for the next day of work. We were discussing
about a certain part of the project over the phone late at night. It was a part
where we felt that does not link well with the rest of the report and had made
amendments several times. After several rounds of discussion, I recommended a
way to my groupmate who does not agree with it. She insisted that the way is
not feasible and firmly rejected my idea. I did not agree with her but
compromised as I was tired and wanted to end the argument. She then told me her idea which sounded to me
exactly same as what I recommended.
Feeling tired and grieved, I told her that it was
exactly what I said while trying to hold my anger. She sensed the displease
from my tone and felt wronged too. From her perspective, I was not clear in my explanation
which made her interpreted my idea in a different way. We then started making
sarcastic remarks over the phone and it resulted in a serious conflict as we
made sensitive comments about each other.
The situation could have be better handled or even
avoided if we are more understanding towards each other and be careful in the
way we communicated. However, given the situation, how many people will be able
to be understanding towards the another party, especially in the absence of
non-verbal communication?
