There are many different forms of conflict resolution but very few are effective and most leave a lack of respect for the parties involved. There are two main methods of conflict resolution which are authoritative methods and alternative methods. Authoritative methods are when an established authority figure, whether it is one person or many, decides the solution to the problem. When authoritative methods are used not everyone always agrees on the solution. Decisions of made by a court would be an example of an authoritative method. Alternative methods are the use of agreement and talking out the problem. Usually the parties involved agree upon the solution and all parties involved in the conflict get a say in what will happen. In this paper I am going to focus on three ways of alternative conflict, they are facilitation, mediation, and conciliation. All of these are similar but they all vary in form and ways they are used. Also none of them require I licensed person though it is strongly recommended. I personally have used facilitation and conciliation and since I have not used mediation I will provide a scenario of a time when mediation is used. I will provide personal insight to them all and the things that were better about all of them.
First is facilitation. Facilitation is when a facilitator works as an unbiased third party that helps the two conflicting parties direct their discussion in a productive manner in search of a solution or agreement satisfactory to both parties. The facilitator is there to simply help people find a solution effectively and quickly without putting either parties needs at risk. The facilitator does not get involved unless things start to get off focus or become unproductive. .
When I was younger my family and I went to a therapist, at this time my sister was having problems with her grades and our family was fighting a lot. The therapist acted as a facilitator by helping us take turns and helping us express ourselves effectively.