Het belang van conflict
The importance of conflict Understanding the human contradiction A conflict – both within yourself and with others – can usually be traced back to the need for autonomy (one’s own needs) on the one hand and the need for connection with others (the needs of others) on the other. If you recognize this paradox during a conflict, there can be room for more understanding and compassion. It is quite normal that in a situation where people with different ideas and backgrounds work together, disagreements arise, which can lead to conflict. When all parties are aware of the shared human needs (need for autonomy and connection), the chances of finding a mutually beneficial outcome multiply. They are more likely to see the situation as a shared problem to be solved, or better yet, as a shared opportunity to be explored. A conflict can be an opportunity for growth, to learn about yourself and the other person Conflict management styles There are different ways to deal with conflict. Everyone has their own preference, but it is not always suitable. The best way to resolve a conflict depends on the situation. Two extremes are often assumed when you talk about dealing with conflicts. One side is just looking at the result, where we often see assertive behavior. On the other hand, there is just trying to find harmony and peace, where we often see concessions and self-effacement. When we place these 2 extremes in a coordinate system, 5 conflict management styles can be characterized: FORCE: focused on results (self-interest) and not on the importance of the relationship. Little consideration is given to the needs of others. It is often a matter of winning or losing. INTEGRATE: focus on one’s own interests and the needs of others. Direct and open communication is used to find a solution that is good for all parties. GIVE IN: focus on maintaining the relationship at the expense of one’s own interests. Passive style in the belief that the relationship is very vulnerable. AVOID: no focus on the relationship nor on self-interest. Neutral attitude towards the conflict, by withdrawing or avoiding the subject. COMPROMISE: the focus is put half on the result and half on the relationship. It is the search for a middle solution, in which all parties are kept satisfied by partially fulfilling their interests. Not one of these styles is “THE BEST”. The best style depends on the situation. Want to know more about conflict management? Don’t hesitate to contact us! References – this text is based on following sources:Thomas and Kilmann’s Conflict management stylesPaul Huguenin – Conflicthantering en onderhandelen , Springer Media
Do what you say and say what you do
Say what you do and do what you say A good team is built on human foundations of trust, solidarity and respect One of the biggest stressors in the workplace, as our analyses show, is the “promise” also known in scientific circles as the Say/Do ratio. The Say/Do ratio is a concept that reflects the consistency between our words and actions. It represents the extent to which we keep our promises and commitments. When our Say/Do ratio is close to 1:1, it means that we consistently deliver what we say we will do, thereby building trust and reliability. Improving your Say/Do ratio involves consistently aligning your words with your actions: doing what you say and saying what you do Be aware of what you promise or commit to. Make strong promises that you keep to yourself. Prioritize agreed tasks and obligations. Communicate openly. Monitor your actions and adjust if necessary, keeping the other(s) informed. If you fall short, learn from it. Consistency Remember that consistency builds trust and a high Say/Do ratio promotes reliability and credibility, which will help you and your colleagues experience less stress at work.
6 lifestyle tips for a brighter mood
6 Lifestyle tips for a cheerful mood “A healthy lifestyle can counteract depression!”Stephen Ilardi (Researcher University Kansas.) But how do you start with this? The American psychologist Stephen Ilardi drew up a 6-step plan based on various insights to get started with this! Medicines, talking, brain implants, … Stephen Ilardi is convinced that we as modern humans can live without it if we start living more to our nature. In his book ‘The Depression Cure’ he describes 6 lifestyle rules known as ‘Therapeutic Lifestyle Change’. Stephen is convinced that by combining these insights, you can get out of clinical depression on your own. Research at our own university confirmed the effectiveness of TLC. After all, the individual steps of the plan are based on thorough research. FEED YOUR BRAIN Omega-3 fatty acids are the building blocks of our brain. These are largely found in oily fish, nuts, and leafy vegetables. Ilardi also recommends an omega-3 supplement in your daily diet. DO SOMETHING Make sure you don’t have time to worry! Make sure you have nice company or a meaningful activity! Do you catch yourself worrying? Write your thoughts down and actively direct your attention to something else. MOVE Exercise is a great medicine for depression! It activates the production of neurotransmitters in the brain and stimulates the growth of new connections. When you sit on a chair all day, 3 x half an hour of brisk walking a week can do great wonders! FIND THE SUN Anyone who can enjoy the sun every day produces sufficient serotonin, melatonin and Vitamin D. These substances take care of your biological clock and ensure a healthy sleep! So go outside! CONTACT PEOPLE Anyone who feels lonely gets sick! Depression causes you to lose the appetite for company and therefore prefer to be alone. Break that vicious circle! Buying a pet can be a good start! SLEEP Sleep problems and depression are directly linked! So make sure you have a healthy sleeping pattern! Avoiding caffeine, nicotine and alcohol can help with this. Take care of your biological clock! Source: Stephen Ilardi, The Depression Cure. Six steps to get rid of your depression without medication
Meditation not only reduces stress, but literally changes your brain
Meditation not only reduces stress, but literally changes your brain Scientists are increasingly understanding the beneficial effects of meditation: more compassion and quality of life and less stress, depression, anxiety, pain and insomnia. The American neuroscientist Sara Lazar has done extensive research on it. Her most startling finding: After eight weeks of meditation, the brain changes and new gray matter is created. Lazar discovered that meditation can literally change your brain. People who meditate have more gray matter in the insula, auditory cortex and frontal cortex compared to a control group. Empathy and Compassion As we age, our frontal cortex shrinks; it becomes more and more difficult to remember things. Lazar found that 50-year-olds meditating in the prefrontal cortex have just as much gray matter as 25-year-olds. To see the short-term effects of meditation, a group of people was subjected to a mindfulness program for eight weeks. After those eight weeks, the brain volume of people learning to meditate had increased in four areas: the posterior cingulate cortex, which is involved in mind wandering; the left hippocampus, which aids in learning, cognition, memory, and emotions; the temporal-parietal junction, which is associated with empathy and compassion; and a part of the brainstem called the pons, where a large number of neurotransmitters are produced. The amygdala, the fight-or-flight part of the brain that plays an important role in anxiety and stress, became smaller in the people who took part in the program. You can compare meditation to exercise. By exercising we stay healthy, we can cope better with stress and we live longer. Meditation has similar effects, according to the Harvard scientist. “I’ve been doing this for 20 years now,” Lazar said. “It has had a big impact on my life. It helps me ground. It reduces stress. It helps me think clearly. And I have more empathy and compassion towards people.” Source: The Washington Post
Attention please!
Attention please! The average attention span of a goldfish is nine seconds. Researchers at Microsoft have found that for humans this has dropped from 12 seconds to 8 seconds due to our digitized lifestyle! The researchers in Canada surveyed 2,000 participants and studied the brain activity of 112 others. They discovered that since the revolution of mobile telephony (from about the year 2000) our average time during which we can focus our attention undivided on a task has decreased from 12 seconds to 8 seconds. “People with a decidedly digital lifestyle have a hard time in an environment that requires long-term attention. It is difficult for them to filter out irrelevant stimuli – they are more easily distracted by different media outlets, ”says the report. However, according to Microsoft researchers, this should not be seen as a setback of our human mind. It indicates that the human ability to “multi-task” has simply improved. Multi-tasking is the rapid switching between simple tasks by the brain, so we can deal better and better with an over-activated brain. Our brains adapt to the possibilities of new technologies. It should be noted here that other scientific research has shown that multi-taskers have less control over their working memory and are distracted by almost everything in daily life. This takes a lot of energy! The question is also, do we maintain our ability to focus longer when necessary? Some scientists fear the negative influence of the internet and continuous connectivity on our brains. The volatile and irregular reading style that people use online makes it more difficult for us to focus on a normal book for a long time. The ability to think deeply and process complex information is closely related to this type of long-term attention. Another reason to limit your endless connectivity regularly, as you could read in one of our other blogs. Bravo, you have been able to concentrate for more than 8 seconds to read this article, there is still hope