Bridging in Conflict Management

Facing conflicts are a regular situation in our life.

There is a term called Bridging in conflict management.  Bridging is about attending to a person, noticing his needs, his concerns, feelings, finding common ground where both of you can turn into we. In bridging both the parties turn to a mutual body who will have same interests, needs and concerns.

With bridging,  if communication is done more, the more probability comes for a win-win situation. This bridging can be done verbally and as well as nonverbally.

What are the bridge mind set? This is a prepared mental state, where

• You are OK.

• You have a mood to work together.

• You want both parties to win.

• You want power from your counter party.

• Your needs are important to you and you really want solutions for them.

• You prefer to bring solutions rather than arguing.

In your conversations you will need to use bridging words also. Some examples of them are

• Us

• We

• Our

• Can

• Lets discuss

• Appreciate

• Alternatives

• What do you need?

• Help me to understand….

• How do you plan to…

The nonverbal languages also play a vital role in bridging. Few nonverbal gestures for bridging are

• Soft gesture.

• Open posture.

• Making eye contact.

• Low and slow voice.

• Approachable look.

• Open hand gesture with slightly upturned palms.

A regular practice of all the above points can make a total accommodative bridging personality, which is a positive part for conflict management.