⚖️ Level 7 – Resolving conflicts 🤝
Table of Contents
Why do conflicts arise?
Conflicts are a part of life. They arise everywhere:
within the family
at school
among friends
at work
A conflict often arises when:
people have different opinions
someone feels misunderstood
feelings such as anger or disappointment arise
people do not listen properly
👉 A conflict is not automatically a bad thing.
👉 A conflict shows that something needs to be sorted out.
What happens when conflicts are handled badly?
If conflicts aren’t resolved properly:
they escalate
new problems arise
relationships break down
mistrust develops
For example:
- Shouting instead of talking → the argument gets worse
- Ignoring → the problem remains
- Insulting → trust is lost
What does ‘resolving conflicts’ mean?
Resolving conflicts means:
staying calm
listening
- explaining your own point of view
- understanding the other person’s point of view
- finding a solution together
👉 It’s not about winning.
👉 It’s about finding a solution.
This step helps you to understand:
Why conflicts arise.
How conflicts escalate.
How you can resolve conflicts calmly and respectfully.
Exercise: Understanding and resolving conflicts
Think of a conflict
Think back to a situation:
Who did you have a conflict with?
What happened?
How did you feel?
Take your time and write down the situation.
What happened during the conflict?
Think about it more carefully:
Did I listen?
Did I stay calm?
Did I understand the other person?
Or did I just want to be right?
👉 Write down honestly how you behaved.
What were the consequences of the conflict?
For example:
The argument escalated
Someone was hurt
The relationship deteriorated
We no longer speak to each other
👉 Write down what happened as a result of the conflict.
Important for your learning
Resolving conflicts is a skill.
You can practise this skill.
Set aside three days again.
Day 1 – Stay calm
Pay close attention to your behaviour:
- If you get upset, pause for a moment.
- Take a deep breath.
- Think before you speak.
👉 Ask yourself: “Do I need to react right now, or can I stay calm?”
Day 2 – Listen and understand
When a conflict arises:
- Let the other person finish speaking.
- Try to understand what they mean.
- Ask questions if anything is unclear.
👉 Ask yourself, “Have I really understood what the other person is saying?”
Day 3 – Seeking a solution
Try actively to find a solution:
- Calmly explain your point of view.
- Listen to the other person’s point of view.
- Work together to find a solution.
👉 Ask yourself: “What would be a fair solution for both sides?”
Example of a 3-day exercise
Example: Conflict at school
Day 1 – Argument in class
I stay calm and don’t shout back.
Day 2 – Conversation
I listen to my classmate and let them finish speaking.
Day 3 – Solution
We agree on how we will treat each other in future.
Example: Conflict within the family
Day 1 – Discussion
I stay calm, even if I’m annoyed.
Day 2 – Listening
I listen carefully to my parents or siblings.
Day 3 – Solution
We talk it through together and find a solution.
Example: Conflict with friends
Day 1 – Misunderstanding
I don’t react angrily straight away.
Day 2 – Clarification
I ask what was really meant.
Day 3 – Agreement
We sort out the argument and treat each other with respect.
Example: What happens if the conflict isn’t resolved?
Day 1 – Argument
The conflict escalates.
Day 2 – Ignoring
We stop talking to each other.
Day 3 – Outcome
Friendships or relationships break down.
Example: Good conflict resolution
Day 1 – Calm
I stay calm and keep my emotions in check.
Day 2 – Understanding
I try to understand the other person.
Day 3 – Solution
Together, we find a fair solution.
Reflection
When do you get angry quickly?
In which situations do you find it hard to stay calm?
When have you successfully resolved a conflict in the past?
What could you do better next time?
👉 Conflicts show you where there is room for growth.
Learning together (recommended)
You can practise dealing with conflicts in groups:
- Two people act out a conflict.
- The others watch.
Afterwards, discuss together:
- What went well?
- What could be improved?
This way, everyone learns from one another.
Objective of this stage
You understand how conflicts arise.
You recognise how conflicts escalate.
You learn to resolve conflicts calmly and respectfully.
👉 Those who can resolve conflicts become stronger. 👉 Those who understand conflicts can protect relationships.
🌟 Completion of Level 7 – You have learnt an advanced skill
You have completed Level 7 – Resolving conflicts.
This is a skill that many people never really master, even in a lifetime.
You have learnt:
- to stay calm when things get difficult
- to listen, even when you disagree
- to explain your point of view clearly
- to understand the other person’s point of view
- to find solutions together
That is true strength. Not being loud. Not wanting to win. But understanding and connecting.
You have thus taken an important step towards maturity, self-confidence and social skills.
🌿 Why you need a break right now
Conflict resolution is not a ‘trick’.
It is an inner attitude that takes time to become ingrained.
Taking a break of at least 3 days will help you:
to observe what you’ve learnt in everyday life
to be more aware of your reactions
to notice small steps of progress
to let your subconscious do its work
Only when something is stored in your long-term memory does it become stable. This break is crucial for that.
Give yourself this time. You’ll learn more effectively if you don’t rush things.
🧠 Reflection during the break
Over the next few days, you could ask yourself the following questions:
When do I get angry quickly?
In what situations do I find it hard to stay calm?
When have I successfully resolved a conflict in the past?
What can I do better next time?
How does it feel when I stay calm instead of reacting?
These questions will help you recognise your inner strength.
🔍 A quick extra exercise – 3 days, 3 short sentences
Read one of these sentences aloud every day:
Day 1 – Calm
“I stay calm, even when things get difficult.”
Day 2 – Understanding
“I listen before I speak.”
Day 3 – Solution
“I look for a fair solution for both sides.”
These sentences have a greater impact than you might think. They train your mind to think with clarity and respect.
😄 For young people (aged 8–14) – simple, humorous sentences
To lighten the mood, to make you smile, to practise:
- “When I shout, nobody listens – not even myself.”
- “Conflicts are like knots: you untie them, you don’t pull harder on them.”
- “Those who stay calm always win – not the argument, but themselves.”
- “I’m not angry, I’m just recharging my patience.”
These phrases help to understand conflicts in a light-hearted way.
💪 Your motivation for the next step
You’ve learnt how to resolve conflicts.
It’s a skill that protects relationships, builds trust and makes you stronger on the inside.
Now you’re ready for something new:
🧭 Stage 8 – Taking responsibility
Responsibility means:
- standing by your actions
- making conscious decisions
- admitting mistakes
- actively helping to shape solutions
Resolving conflicts and taking responsibility go hand in hand.
Those who understand conflicts can take responsibility.
Those who take responsibility grow beyond themselves.
You are ready for this next step. LEVEL 8 – TAKING RESPONSIBILITY