Each of us lives based on some a fundamental truths or beliefs that serves as the foundation for our behaviour and analytical chain of reasoning.
The Root of Conflict
Not surprisingly interpersonal conflicts can arise from principle based contradictions and the participants frequently do not even recognize this to be the case.
As with so many adversarial situations awareness of the reason behind the disagreements, in this case an understanding of the underlying conflicting principles is not even considered.
Resolution thru Understanding
In most situations when principles rise to the level of conscious thought we can compare, understand and reconcile differences enabling us to overcome arguments and reach consensus agreement.
Sadly this conscious recognition is not always achieved. This straightforward approach to limiting conflicts and reaching a conclusion satisfactory to all participants does require us to be aware of our principles on a conscious level.
Hidden Bias
Personal principles can be a driver of our unconscious bias. Our principles develop from an early age and are often mainly set by the time we reach our teen-age years.
They form the foundation of our personalities and largely operate unconsciously. Hence a bias aligned with our principles simply drives our actions without us often even being aware it is happening.
Thinking about your principles, understanding them on a conscious level can help you overcome inappropriate truly unjustified behaviours. It can help you quickly identify and resolve interpersonal conflicts.
What are your base principles, do you know?