Maintaining Individuality

Individuality is the quality that people that makes each person unique and distinguishable from each other. It is important to remain distinct from others, even among groups of people that are classified as either the same or very similar. While individuality is a concept that many people agree with and want to ensure, the pressure from most people’s lives, including their environment and the people around them, forces individuals to lose who they truly are and morph in order to fit in. I strongly agree that individuality, while important, is difficult to keep because of outside factors, a concept that was presented by Logan Fey.

In order to resolve a conflict i would show I was using careful listening skills and have a calm tactful approach towards that person that offers a compromise that both sides can accept.

In resolving conflict, ask the question, “How do we keep this from happening again?” The first thing is to be objective. This helps in managing conflict by keeping team members focused on the problem at hand (Huber, 2007)

You should try to handle conflict situations by remaining calm, ending the conflict before it escalates and remaining respectful of others. You should try to demonstrate active listening and discuss the situation in a calm and rational manner to try and resolve the conflict.

How can people best respond to conflicts is a question commonly asked by people going through a difficult situation without any knowledge of how to respond properly to a certain conflict. The reality is: there is no solid answer to this question. It all depends on what your conflict is, and of course in what position you are. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a conflict is an active disagreement, as between opposing opinions or needs[1], and according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary the definition of conflict is: a struggle for power[2] , so without a doubt, what people want as a result in a conflict is to have power over the problem, to have control.

Humanity has seen great horrors throughout the course of history, one them being the Holocaust during World War II. As we look down upon the Germans of that time, the U.S. had their very own holocaust. President Roosevelt issued the Executive Order #9066 on February 19, 1942, which allowed the relocation of tens and thousands of Japanese Americans to internment camps, stripping them of their rights; the reason being that these U.S. citizens were of Japanese descent. There are other possible reasons Japanese were sent to these camps, such as being secure after the attack on Pearl Harbor; however, social and racial attitudes was most significant because Japan attacked, and there was a war going on, so what chances are there that more Japanese won’t follow, whereas the other two were formed from that discrimination and racism.

After the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese that propelled the U.S. into World War II, paranoia causes President Roosevelt to sign an executive order forcing all people of Japanese ancestry; including those born in the U.S. to be moved to concentration camps. Even in the towns where the camps were located, stores would post signs saying “No Japs Allowed”.

Skills and approaches you will need for resolving conflicts are managing your stress levels, remaining calm in all situations, being aware of both verbal and non-verbal communication, by making sure you do not use any jargon and talking so everyone involved can understand you. Make sure you control your emotions and behaviour towards others, as aggressive behaviour can be intimidating. Avoid threatening others, pay attention to the feelings being expressed as well as the spoken words. Respect the differences of the individual, develop a readiness to forgive and forget. Have the ability to compromise, try and find a way to resolve the situation. Try to avoid making assumptions and accusations, as this can make the situation much worse. You must try not to over generalise and stick to the facts of what went on. Active listening plays a big part in trying to resolve conflict, as the person will feel that you are paying attention to them.

There are different conflict management styles, the dictatorial style, which insists that things are addressed their way and the low self -esteem style, which just allows others to have it their way. It is up to the individual to decide which way works for them. Additionally, the abdicator handles conflict by bowing out or walking away. This method is unhealthy because it robs the offended growth opportunity, which results from working through issues (Pegues, 2009, p.49). Another style is the collaborator, which often involves cooperation and pulling together to reach a common purpose and are emotionally balanced.

Conflict need not be catastrophic or personal conflicts are simply part of being human. Deal with issues as they arise, avoiding conflict makes situations worse. Time does not resolve matters instead it decreases the chance of a positive outcome. Attempt to understand the other person's point of view because dismissing the other's views, assigning blame, and exclusive focus on your own perspective are all counterproductive. Do not judge emotions, no one's feelings are more or less “right” than the other. Emotions reflect a valid perspective of an individual even if you don't understand it; acknowledge the other person's reaction as important. Focus on the behavior, situation or problem area without attacking the person involved. Do not assume your values or beliefs are “right”, they reflect a view of the world from your unique perspective. Respecting another's viewpoint as equally valuable opens an opportunity for learning and growth (Lifetips moving up in life, 2000).

There is no general response for individuals when it comes to conflict. Everyone responds differently and therefore express different positive qualities or negative traits. When conflict arises there are individuals who reveal qualities previously unseen that benefit themselves and usually others. There are also those who reveal undesirable attributes that strain and disconnect relationships. Ultimately, we will never how an individual will respond to conflict until

Another example could be the ending of racial segregation. People like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa parks fought individuality to stop segregation. Today’s society is better because of what a couple of individuals did to make it this way. This could also be supported by this quote, “And while the law [of competition] may be hard for the individual, it is best for the race, because it ensures the survival of the fittest in every department.” (Carnegie). Individuality was greatly used when defending the right for equality in between the races. Society today has progressed over the centuries due to the bravery of several individualists. People pride themselves in their individuality to make the world better, memorable and unforgettable. Consequently, individualism is the key to making the society better and turn something that could benefit towards others.

Each person has a characteristic personality. Such a style reflects our unique wants, needs, and values. In conflicts, there are specific global patterns that can be identified that are reflective of how individuals deal with such challenges. These global patterns consist of five approaches to conflict management: Competing, Collaborating, Compromising, Avoiding, and Accommodating.

One of the facets of living within civilized society is that there are certain norms and social conventions that people must follow. Frequently, there is a large effort on the part of government, financial, and social institutions to keep people doing most of the same thing as others going to work, driving cars, buying homes, etc. Despite the fact that people engage in these efforts individually, the simple fact that they are all attempting to do the same thing, in much the same way, is indicative of the fact that they are engaged in collective behavior. THESIS: Those who are able to overcome collective behavior and allow for their individuality to determine their own outcomes exemplify the best of human nature.

The relationship between individuals and society has been a topic of debates for generations. In these debates, individuality has been given various definitions which can be grossly summarised as “The aggregate of qualities and characteristics that distinguish one person or thing from others” (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/individuality). It has been also argued that “The irony of individuality is that sometimes it is a luxury that can only be achieved by contributing something special to the group. True individualists are often innovators.” (http://www.helium.com/items/1273481-thoughts-on-individuality). Interestingly, individuals may innovate by rebelling against societies, to the extent that the latter are a reflection of the