Video Transcript
Hi, I’m Abby Raymond, Team USA Weightlifter and multi-time youth weightlifting National Champion.
Today I want to talk to you about conflict and conflict resolution, and there are three things I’d like you to know:
First, it’s important to understand that conflict is a disagreement that has emotion attached to it.
Second, conflict is to be expected with any team, and when effectively managed, it can help with team cohesion.
And third, when we do experience conflict, it is best resolved with face-to-face communication rather than through social media, emails, or text messages.
Conflict can vary in degrees of severity – ranging from an argument to a physical altercation – and resolution can come in many different styles, including avoiding, giving in, standing your ground, compromising, and collaborating.
Never assume that conflict will dissipate on its own.
In most cases, if conflict is not addressed, it can escalate.
Not too long ago, I learned the value of managing conflict and finding resolution after sustaining an injury during an intense training season.
I was feeling mentally stressed, fatigued, distracted, and complacent – all indicators of burnout as I later learned.
As an elite level athlete, I felt like I had to persevere through any adversity I faced, so I chose to keep my feelings of burnout to myself and avoid disappointing my coach and my family.
Before too long, I suffered a season-ending elbow injury.
After taking time away from training and competition, I was finally able to talk with my coach face-to-face about the challenges I had been experiencing. My coach was disappointed that I hadn’t shared my feelings sooner, so I promised to do a better job of anticipating these feelings moving forward.
From that conversation, we developed a healthier relationship and improved our ability to communicate.
Today, I am quick to reach out to my coach and family when I start feeling stressed, burned out, or in need of extra support.
As athletes, we are told to be strong, confident, and to persevere through challenges we experience.
Sometimes, though, we have to share those challenges with others.
Try writing down what you’re experiencing, what resolution you’d like to reach, and what feelings you’re having because of the conflict.
Gaining clarity before embarking on a face-to-face conversation can be hugely helpful.
By being open with yourself and others, you too will experience the positives that can come with effectively navigating conflict.
