Conflict requires action. I remember hanging out at Islands Restaurant, Rancho Cucamonga, when our team's vice captain had a few too many drinks and got into an altercation with a visiting high school who was interested in joining the team. Our vice captain, Mr. F, got a little "wet" with his beverages and threw punches at this young man who intended to play the same position as Mr. F and thought it would be funny to say that he was excited to improve the position next year. As a man of action, and immeasurable strength, I broke the fight up but then made it a priority to speak to each party individually. Why did you act the way you did? Did you consider how this would impact the other person? How do you think you should have behaved? What do you want to communicate to the other party now that you've thought through this incident? Such simple questions, but when posed to the individual, allow for remarkable revelations. The two quickly made up and Mr. F took the incoming freshman under his arm over the off season. Individual deep dives always go far in resolving conflict. Conflict between individuals cannot be resolved if conflict within an individual is not resolved first. That is how I resolve conflict between teammates. I'm sizzling.
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