Introduction
Communication in the family can be a complex issue because of specific tensions emerging between members and requiring effective conflict management. For instance, my relations with my sister might be complex and imply using various communication strategies to ensure there is no conflict and we can collaborate. The emergence of disputable issues in my relations with my sister can be linked to peculiarities of siblings’ relationships, such as lack of boundaries and listening, misunderstanding, the difference in communication styles, and inappropriate timing. As a result, there is a background for the emergence of major regular conflicts and the necessity of their resolution. An examination of my relationship with my sister will demonstrate the use of interpersonal communication concepts of compromise, collaboration, and avoidance.
Troubled Relationship
Troubled relations can be described as the interaction between individuals characterized by minimal or negative communication promoting the emergence of numerous conflicts, problematic issues, and adverse effects on all parties engaged in this interaction. As a result, the notions of compromise, collaboration, and avoidance become critical for analyzing this type of bond and offering a solution that might help to create the basis for gradual improvement and problem resolution. Thus, the misunderstanding and the lack of communication can be viewed as one of the features characterizing my relations with the sister and serving as the basis for conflicts. The lack of listening results in the inability to understand an interlocutor, consider his/her arguments, and make a compromise, and can trigger the use of avoidance strategies to stop sharing personal information. Moreover, poorly timed and inappropriate communication creates barriers to understanding and complicates negotiation or compromising over complex or problematic issues. Additionally, the deficiencies in selected communication styles might promote negative feelings, increase the level of stress, increase the chance for misunderstanding, and create the basis for conflicts. At the same time, the lack of boundaries and the inability to consider their importance for me or my sister can be linked to privacy issues which are also peculiar to a troubled relationship such as my interaction with the sister. These aspects require specific solutions to align effective communication and avoid new conflicts. Otherwise, there is a high risk of the growing number of disputable issues and the decreased motivation to resolve them by building trustful, open, and respectful communication.
Solutions
Resolution of conflicts in troubled relations requires aligning effective communication between parties and ensuring they can listen to arguments and consider them. Thus, compromise and mutual concessions can be viewed as possible approaches to address the issues mentioned above and minimize the number of conflicts resulting from the clash of interests. Identifying common ground might help my sister to find the basis for enhanced communication with the sister and discover potential solutions that might be acceptable for both. At the same time, these solutions should also be negotiated to ensure the best possible plan is selected and all parties benefit from it. Negotiating the plan of action is critical to guarantee that the discussed solutions are used in appropriate conditions and terms. Furthermore, collaboration can be a powerful solution helping both parties to achieve their goals and remain satisfied. It implies sharing information and discussing problematic issues in a team to attain the desired goal. To ensure effective and timely collaboration, it is vital to establish a safe communication space for both parties to feel safe and free to interact. Moreover, identifying common interests is crucial for both parties to start interacting and realize the necessity of collaboration and compromise. However, if the benefits do not outweigh the costs of potential interaction, it is possible to use avoidance strategies to manage the conflict and preserve positive relations.
Conclusion
Altogether, any trouble relations and problems in communication require working together as it is key to finding common ground and resolving the most problematic issues preventing individuals from understanding each other. Fair and mutual conflict resolution requires collaboration and negotiation to outline common goals, determine the best ways to achieve them, and consider compromises that can be made to ensure all parties are satisfied and ready to continue the interaction. Conflict resolution also requires open and honest communication with the ability to listen to an interlocutor attentively, understand his/her arguments, be ready to share, and discuss the most problematic aspects to avoid misunderstandings and guarantee there is a basis for finding a successful solution. It means that listening and consideration are core components for communication and conflict resolution as they might help to improve relations in a troubled relationship and align better interaction. Thus, the clash of opinions, untimely or inappropriate communication, lack of listening, or problematic communication strategies peculiar to my relations with my sister can be addressed by using collaboration, negotiation, and compromise, as these concepts are central for aligning effective interactions and reducing the probability of conflict. The choice of effective strategies based on listening and considering other parties’ interests will help to improve troubled relations and provide numerous options for their improvement and moving forward to attain similar goals.