You will see the word “needs” mentioned a few times throughout this podcast. Now may be a good opportunity to explain what they are. 

When you think about your disagreement and eliminate the judgments about your partner and yourself, what was it about and why was it so important?

The answers to these questions tell you about your needs.

To download your PDF of the Fresh Start Healthy Relationships Workshop: Conflict Resolution Techniques for Partnerships - Managing Emotions, please click on this link https://www.freshstartmediation.ca/resources or email [email protected]

The relationship between emotions and a destructive argument is like fuel and fire. Without negative emotions, you would not be able to maintain a destructive argument. The reason that emotions so powerfully drive us to disagree has to do with our sense of who we are. Invariably, if challenged by behavior we perceive as a threat to our sense of self we feel the need to respond either by withdrawing if it is unsafe to disagree or by preparing to engage in an argument.

To download your PDF of the Fresh Start Healthy Relationships Workshop: Conflict Resolution Techniques for Partnerships - Managing Emotions, please click on this link https://www.freshstartmediation.ca/resources or email [email protected] 

Arguments can become destructive when they don’t lead anywhere; when your partner doesn’t understand how to help you meet your needs. As a result, arguments become repetitive, grinding away at the appreciation and respect you have for each other. Invariably this happens when the argument shifts from a conversation about the issue to one that includes judgments of the other person.

Listen in as Andrea Richards, Mediator, provides you the reflection, insight and practical steps to avoid destructive arguments with your partner.  

To download your PDF of the Fresh Start Healthy Relationships Workshop: Conflict Resolution Techniques for Partnerships - Avoid Destructive Arguments please click on this link https://www.freshstartmediation.ca/resources or email [email protected]  

The Fresh Start podcast series is designed to help you understand where conflict comes from, and to build the toolkit to ensure the healthiest ways to deal with it.

Each week, we will be talking with a leader in their field, that understands the nature of conflict, and why we can sometimes fall into the traps that escalate them.

Whether at home, work or social situations, conflict can be all around us. We look forward to providing you the information you need to build resiliency, communication skills and healthier relationships

After all, as Max Lucado once said: 'Conflict may be inevitable, but combat is optional'.

Tune in each week and start creating your very own Fresh Start.