#2 Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

The most brain-scarring conflict that I've ever encountered thus far was the time when I was involved in a squabble with my church friend, Fabian. We grew up together within the same social circle - playing soccer, hanging out and were involved in church youth activities too. In a particular year, we were both serving in our church funfair organizing committee where I was the chair person.

On one occasion, I was on the phone with another friend. Somehow or another, our conversation topic led to Fabian. Certain things were best left confidential although I recalled that my sharing was neither malicious nor conceited and it was not intended to derogate Fabian. However, the confidentiality of my sharing was breached and comments misunderstood. Initially, I was apologetic but it soon morphed into anger. There were many occasions in which I tried to explain myself but Fabian just wouldn't listen. Whenever we bumped into each other, we'll either pass snide remarks or scoffed at each other. Over a short time, our friendship deteriorated to a point where friends within our social circle were implicated too. As a result, there was a great divide among our friends and the majority took sides with Fabian.

This conflict occurred at a crucial time when it was a couple of weeks before the funfair and there were still a number of issues to be addressed. In addition, this didn't help when there was a schism within the organizing committee which comprised of the people involved in the conflict.

If you were me, what would you do to ensure that all the administrative and logistical matters are settled so that the funfair would run smoothly?

#1 Effective Communication

I loathe it when people insult science students about having all the knowledge on how the world goes round, but have no clue on how to express it when it is required. However, that being said, I don't really blame "those people" from mocking us- science students, since the lack of communication skills were evident in history. (check out these sources: Bueno(1999). The Craft of thinking: Logic, Scientific Method and The Pursuit of Truth or Penrose(2004). Writing in the Sciences: Exploring conventions in scientific discourse.)

Are these stereotypes still relevant? Is it possible to effectively explain a simple scientific concept to a room of executives from a MNC or a Thai villager? How can one convey a message that is void of ambiguity while hitting home the core message?

Indeed, with good communication skills. all these can be achieved. In our world today, "No man is an island". Though this statement sounds cliche, it still holds some truth. As our society is intricately interconnected with one another, information exchange is free-flowing and human contacts through various channels are limitless. No one stands alone. Unless one devotes one's life to seclusion as a hermit or a Carmelite nun, human communication is an important tool for survival.

To be an effective global scientist, the ability to understand the target audience is as equally important as knowing the facts. It's about analzying the situation while deciphering cultural sensitivities, and then adopting the appropriate channel of communication before interaction. These and all the other aspects of communication should be honed by everyone - regardless of age, gender, race or occupation.