Fighting Fair...For True Resolution

Disagreement and Arguing are part of life. Yet, these can be productive or unproductive in any kind of relationships.

When the goal is true resolution, then, some rules must be followed.

SIX RULES FOR FIGHTING FAIR:

1. Stay on one topic and don't get distracted.
2. No name calling or derogatory, sarcastic, snide etc. statements.
3. Try to understand the other person's position. And try to actively communicate to them that you understand it. In intimate relationships, it is particularly important to understand the emotional impact of the situation on the other person.
4. If you are confused or don't understand something, ask for clarification.
5. Talk more about your feelings and opinions and why they are important to you and less (perhaps not at all) about why the other person's are wrong.
6. Understand that resolution doesn't mean you have to agree with each other, just find a way to move forward.

If the Goal in a relationship is always "be right", then you may lose out on the relationship for the sake of being right.