This week I’m going to try a little experiment. I have a theory that this exercise might give you an insight into your preferred way of dealing with Conflict.  For it to work it will require you to approach the exercise with your brain as far as possible in neutral, preferably not in work mode, and you need to be as honest as you can with yourself.

There is one little string attached:  I have written this exercise into a book I’m writing, so this is in a way a pilot for it:  when we analyse how you respond to the exercise, I would ask you to let me know whether you think it works, and does give you a genuine insight into your conflict handling default response.  So, to build on a previous Blog I wrote, IF you undertake this exercise, you are willing to let me know whether it worked or not?  Perfect.

If only these were available on the NHS

 

 

Please take a Metaphorical Honesty Tablet now, so that whatever you do next is a genuine response to the exercise.  The only person who will know what you do next is you.

 

Right, are you all set?  Here goes.  Please find a piece of paper and something to write with, and then carry out the next instruction below this picture.

 

 

 

WRITE DOWN THE MOST LEAST LAWFUL THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE.

(Parking tickets and speeding fines do not count.)

Thank you.  I hope that wasn’t too painful.

We’re done for now.  In my next post we will analyse how you responded just now, and link it to the Thomas Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument.  It may be that it highlights your conflict handling preference,  and this may give you a useful insight into why you get the results from Conflict that you do, and some thoughts on how to adapt your response when necessary.

If you don’t want to have to keep checking in here to see if I have written the follow up Blog, why not Subscribe via email so you’ll know automatically when I’ve written it?

See you soon, and be careful where you leave that piece of paper!