106 | COSERE study, while another wants to hang out with friends. By understanding each other’s needs, they can come up with a solution that works, like taking turns using the space. It’s also about building trust and relationships. When everyone feels like they’re being heard and respected, they’re more likely to work together to fix problems. This could mean doing stuff together outside of class, like playing games or doing team-building stuff. In its essence, the interest-based relational approach underscores the importance of cooperative endeavours, empathetic engagement, and the pursuit of solutions that engender contentment for all stakeholders within the educational milieu. Following the Interest-Based Relational Approach, these are the main steps to follow to resolve a conflict: 1. Define the problem: you can find the specific issues or concerns contributing to the conflict; and encourage all parties to express their perspectives and feelings on the matter. For example: two of your coworkers are debating about time management in a class. You can hear each point of view and understand what’s the real need: is everything like they said? Or there is something more? 2. Separate position from interest: you can help individuals to distinguish between their position (what they want, i.e., more time) and their underlying interests (why they want it, i.e., because one of the two teachers don’t want to lose a quarter of an hour of her class to clean up the classroom made a mess in the previous PE hour). Remember that: positions are often stated demands, while interests represent the deeper needs and concerns. 3. Active listening and Empathy: Promote active listening skills among all parties. For example, if either teacher is constantly interrupting the other, define speaking turns and make sure that one can express herself and the other can listen. You can also ask questions so that they can take on the other person’s point of view and emotions. 4. Identify common ground: Which interest they could share related to the classroom? Are there solutions that both of them could be interest in? You can emphasise the importance of finding mutually beneficial solutions that address the needs of all parties.
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