People tend to avoid conflict. It’s often uncomfortable.
But here’s a new lens to look through.
Conflict doesn’t have to be violent. Conflict is simply the collision of two ideas in pursuit of an outcome. It can play out in a myriad of ways, and in some cases, forcing that collision is the most productive outcome.
In the absence of conflict, two ideas remain in opposition without a resolution; hence, there is no progress. Often times the conflict is between action and inaction so when seeking to move things forward, productive conflict is a good idea.
Say you want to move a project along that is stagnant, the best thing you could do is to force a resolution to move forward. This requires conflict. It may require getting together the people involved to define the path moving forward. That conflict is not violent, it’s not necessarily tense or aggressive…but it is productive.
Maybe you have been talking to a guy or girl you are interested in, but no one is making the first move to get together. Initiating the decision point of whether or not to get a drink together can move things forward.
Not all conflict is bad. Sometimes it’s simply the most productive thing you can do.