One of the things that leads to conflict – at least inner conflict – is when we seem to lose the ability to speak up, voice our needs, express our feelings, defend our perspective, and so on. This may have to do with the fear of conflict and ironically, can easily result in unnecessary discord and tension – at least internally.

There may be some situations and people that are more challenging than others that seem to preclude the wherewithal to speak up. Or, for some speaking up does not come easily, under any or most circumstances. In any case, interpersonal conflict can be a time when self-limiting beliefs and behaviours go into high gear for some people and their confidence plummets along with self-esteem.

For this week’s blog, please consider a situation in which you are not speaking up, to be able to put the following ConflictMastery™ Quest(ions) within that context:

• Firstly, what does the expression ‘speaking up’ mean to you?
• What is the particular situation you have in mind in which you are not speaking up?
• What are the main messages that you would express, if you did speak up?
• What is most important to you about conveying that (those) message(s)?
• What is keeping you from speaking up?
• What is the best case scenario if you convey the message you want?
• In your view, what best describes the opposite of speaking up?
• If you were to overcome whatever is keeping you from speaking up, how would that be for you?
• How would you describe the opportunities that speaking up will make more possible?
• How would you feel if you spoke up and your message got across?

What other ConflictMastery™ Quest(ions) may you add here?

Originally posted at www.cinergycoaching.com/blog/