Resolving a conflict is easy if both parties recognize each other’s perspectives. The acknowledgment of that understanding is a game changer. Authentic apologies for sentiments spoken in anger and frustration flow effortlessly if both people feel heard and understood regarding why they feel the way they do. In fact, the actual resolution of the conflict seems less important when both parties feel listened to and have acquired new insight about one another.

Yet, there are a number of people in the world who have trouble seeing an alternate perspective if it differs from theirs. Instead, they continually repeat their own perspective, refusing to consider the other party’s viewpoint on the grounds that they are right and the other person is wrong. This is frustrating. Life is not black and white and neither are relationships.