[RSBob]

Conflict resolution is and always will be important. I sincerely believe that conflict resolution is not always appropriate when we are talking about potential school shooters. There are many more factors at play. Should kids be taught this skill? Absofreekingloutely. This should be a life skill everyone is taught.

When I worked in corporate consulting I was always assigned to handle conflicts between warring departments and individuals. I learned that most conflict stemmed from (news flash) lack of effective communication, rumor, innuendo and playing fast and loose with the facts.

The process to resolve was the same for both individuals and groups. Had to stress that everyone was on the same team working for the same goals. I’ll just say to save time it took 4 steps and a couple of follow-ups in case anyone regressed. Sounds like Shock-Shadel Hospital now that I think about it. People and depts have much more in common and common interests and those are what I focus on after the lies and misconceptions and sometimes a little house cleaning takes place. It’s like couples therapy for companies and borrows the same principles including something lacking in today’s culture, agreed compromise.

Schools are not teaching this necessary skill. But they damn well should to resolve a whole host of life issues in the class as well as relationships and later work life.