Conflict and confrontation can be scary. But, it doesn't have to be. Psychology, the sciences, our history, and our own experiences have taught us that most people have one of three responses to conflict and confrontation. They are:

1. Fight Response - It is an aggressive response that seeks self-protection through domination, control, volume, and intimidation.  

2. Flight Response - It is a self protecting method that abandons the relationship, the confrontation, and the situation. Flight response is experienced when a person shuts down and emotionally disconnects from what is taking place.

3. Freeze Response - It is also a self-protecting method that is an emotional paralysis. There is neither movement forward towards healthy connection and reconciliation, nor movement backward as in the flight mode. Freeze response is an emotional paralysis that can keep us bound, so we don't grow or move forward.

However, there is a fourth alternative and I call it fortitude. Fortitude is defined as courage in the place of adversity or pain. Confrontation can be a place of adversity and pain, but it doesn't have to be. This Confrontational tool that you are accessing here, is designed to help you demonstrate fortitude and humility while you manage conflict and confrontation with a goal of strengthening relational connection and fostering a relational win-win situation. 

Photo credit: Photo by Eric Ward on Unsplash