A personal challenge I face working in the field of conflict resolution is that I must take my own advice. And sometimes, I just don’t want to.

There have been two situations recently that have required me digging deep, getting honest with myself and recognizing that I was compromising in areas that, long-term, would be damaging.

Facing these situations meant stepping into awkwardness and being vulnerable to admit things I did not want to. It also meant apologizing. The outcome of both were not what I had hoped.

In spite of believing the right discussions were had and the right decisions made, part of me is not satisfied with the outcome. But they resulted in increased clarity and generated compassion and respect in me for the others involved. Sometimes, this juxtaposition is how conflict works.