World Hello Day: Settling Conflict with Communication

You may have heard the old children’s rhyme, “Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Ideally, this rhyme was created to prevent kids from resorting to physical violence when taunted or provoked.

What is World Hello Day?

World Hello Day emphasizes the use of communication and words to resolve conflict. Why? Because most of the time, just talking about it leads to solutions, understanding, and peace. And arguably, the world could always use a little more of the good stuff.

With World Hello Day on November 21st, these words still ring true for all around the globe.

Violence is not the answer. In fact, physical retaliation leads to actions that sometimes you can’t take back.

Improving Conflict Resolution on World Hello Day

In celebration of World Hello Day, we’re talking about all things related to settling a conflict with communication. Use this day to expand your personal growth and development. Look for holes in your own personal growth and learning. Identify them and improve upon them. Be part of the solution, not the problem.

So, how can you use communication in the best way possible to solve conflict within your own life? Let’s get into the nitty-gritty and find out what personal growth areas you can start working on today.

1. When a conflict arises, address it honestly and openly.

It’s easy to sweep problems under the rug. It’s also easy to wait and bottle it up until you just can’t take it anymore. When possible, try to avoid these easy routes.

Instead, bring up any conflict that heads your way when it happens. Don’t let that anger, resentment, and possibly misunderstanding simmer beneath the surface.

Ask for clarification in a polite and kind way. Do this by using open-ended questions. Avoid accusations when possible, this is key to avoid arguments and to move toward a solution.

Half the time, you may have misunderstood the other person. The other half the time, the person may not have realized they were being hurtful in any way.

Get your facts straight. Express how you feel through words. Also, express your desire to resolve the conflict - not aggravate it.

2. Listen actively.

You might think you’re a great listener. I think most of us do. One day I was reading up on it and I realized that I was making a huge communication error - one that is semi-difficult to detect. So, here’s your chance to make some serious strides forward in personal growth and development.

Here’s the harsh truth: If while you’re listening, you’re thinking of the next point you’re going to say, you’re not actually listening.

Actively listening involves being present and listening and considering exactly what the other person is saying. You aren’t thinking of a rebuttal or how hurt you are - no way. You are listening and trying to understand the other person involved here.

The first step toward resolving conflict is understanding. You won’t understand if you aren’t actively listening. If you don’t get what the person is saying, clarify or ask questions. It really is that easy.

Related Article: How to Improve Your Active Listening

3. Recognize that not everyone will have the same viewpoint (and respect that).

It’s okay to have different opinions. You will never be able to convince everyone that ours is the right one, especially when everyone has different walks of life and experiences. Despite this, it’s important to remember that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and thoughts even if you do not agree with them.

Luckily, the world is getting better at accepting each other for this. Are you doing a good job of this in your day-to-day? Can you open your mind and see other perspectives besides your own? It doesn’t mean changing yours. It just means understanding and recognizing you aren’t the be-all, end-all to every issue.

We can resolve many conflicts through gaining perspective, perspective that comes from listening. Listening which comes from addressing said conflict. Following me here?

4. Use every conflict as an opportunity to grow.

If you tackle each issue as another opportunity to expand your personal growth areas, you’re killing this thing called life. Knowing you aren’t always right and learning from that is a huge stepping stone in opening up your world and your mind. You can gain so much more from life when you do this.

In other words, quit focusing on what the other person potentially did wrong and focus on yourself. Dive inward and ask, where can you take responsibility? What can you do better next time?

There’s got to be something. In fact, there almost always is. (Hey, we’re human and none of us our perfect creatures.)

Take World Hello Day as Your Opportunity to Grow & Evolve

Growing and evolving is what life is about. So when you constantly look for ways to improve yourself, you’ll inspire those around you. And if you do the math, this will mean that people will even want to be around you more and communication will no longer be a stressor in your life.

When we can all get better at solving conflicts in our own lives, we can spread that to a universal scale. Think of repercussions. Yes, that might be difficult to foresee.

Imagine if we all worked toward just being better communicators? Undeniably, this world would be a much better place!

Want to learn more? Find out the Top 5 Communication Mistakes You’re (probably) Making.