“Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Two weeks ago on LinkedIn and here, I shared that the Israel-Hamas conflict had been on my mind and heart. Today, the amount of conflict and violence around the world feels increasingly dire.
It felt appropriate, cathartic even, to take time to reflect on the Disrupt Yourself podcast featuring Amanda Ripley, a journalist and author who has dedicated herself to understanding the intricacies of conflict.
Amanda is not only an acclaimed journalist but also a relentless investigator of the underlying causes and patterns of conflict. She has penned several books that cut deep into the heart of issues that society grapples with daily. Her insights are drawn from first-hand interviews, thorough research, and an innate ability to probe beneath surface-level narratives. In our discussion, she spoke about her latest investigation into the nature and nuances of conflict.
The world we live in presents us with conflicts at all turns––in our homes, our offices, throughout our societies, and sadly, in the headlines each day. Yet, as Amanda pointed out, conflict is not necessarily malevolent. It’s a natural part of our interpersonal relationships, our businesses, and our personal growth—it’s a catalyst for change. Conflict, when approached with intention, can lead to innovation, compromise, and the inclusion of diverse voices and viewpoints.
However, Amanda also sounds an alarm against the whirlpool of ‘high conflict’. This happens when disagreements harden into indelible parts of our identities, breeding a tribalistic ‘us versus them’ mentality that causes deep divides and destruction—one that seems so prevalent in our news today.
So, how do we navigate this complex terrain?
We empower ourselves with awareness. Recognizing ‘high conflict’ is the first step towards actively steering our communities towards healthier, more productive forms of conflict resolution.
One way to manage this, and a point I found strikingly significant, was the affirmation that “violence is not okay.” It seems simple, right? Yet, echoing this sentiment can have a profound impact, helping to shift mindsets and break destructive cycles.
Remember, it is not the absence of conflict that signifies peace; it’s the ability to navigate conflict with integrity, respect, and compassion. Let us commit to doing our part in making this our reality.
As always, thank you for being here,
Whitney
P.S. If you haven’t already, listen to Melissa Werneck on this week’s podcast. She is the CHRO at Kraft Heinz. She is a delightful human being who I have the pleasure of coaching. And, among the many roles she plays, and HR professionals often play, she is that person that people can talk to (especially CEOs) when things get a little lonely. Which, bringing this back to today’s post, if we all had someone to talk to, where it’s safe to process what we are thinking and feeling, we may be less likely to go into high conflict.
P.P.S. Keep these words in mind: Violence is not okay. The more we say, and the more we internalize, the more we can influence the world around us.
