Embracing Mindfulness During Interpersonal Conflict

Abstract Objectives Interpersonal conflicts are potentially costly to organizations and harmful for people. We outlined the role of mindfulness, which entails paying close attention to events in the mind with an aim to build self-awareness in the present moment, as a resource for peaceful and constructive conflict resolution.

Methods: Based on research interviews with 20 mindfulness practitioners, we identified three sets of methods for mindfully handling episodes of interpersonal conflict, including those involving abusive service recipient behaviour.

Results: The first set of mindfulness methods (getting ready, staying ready) involved inducing and maintaining disentanglement, a form of experience characterized by meta-awareness, disidentification, and reduced reactivity, combined with the capacity to plan and undertake constructive action. The second set (goal setting for peaceful action) involved formulating clear and straight forward intentions about conflict management processes and conflict outcomes. The third set (acting peacefully) entailed pursuing those intentions through peaceful yet assertive action to defuse and resolve the conflicts. We also discussed the restorative value of meditation.

Conclusions: Besides the mindfulness methods identified above, we also acknowledge the likely roles of assertiveness, non-violence, and compassion as complementary practices in constructive conflict resolution.