With the summer travel on the rise, how to cope with fights on flights – masks, squabbles, etc.

Squabbles while traveling on planes, visiting loved ones, or walking through parks have increased as people grapple with how to keep up with the ever-changing new normal.

Damali Peterman, CEO and Founder of Breakthrough ADR, has 5 tips to help you keep the peace. Damali wants you to have your PLANS; that’s our acronym when you leave your home each day to avoid conflict.

P – Prioritize. Is this a relationship of importance to you or just a fleeting encounter? You must weigh whether potentially getting into a confrontation is worth it. Choose your battles. If the topic is significant to you and the subject matter, you must discuss, prepare for the conversation, and consider the appropriate approach. My grandmother used to say – “You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.”

L – Look for opportunities to collaborate and joint problem-solving. No one likes being told what to do. A useful strategy to de-escalate conflict is to involve people in the solution when you are identifying the problem. Try to keep the focus on the issue and not the person. Also, extend grace and test out giving someone the benefit of the doubt. People do not always say what they mean, and they don’t always mean what they say. Slow things down and give people a chance to course-correct.

A – Appeal to people on a human basis. Try to find common ground during the conversation. Recognize that people will have diverse perspectives, opinions, and values. Respect differences and agree to disagree if you cannot see eye to eye. Think about how boring the world would be if everyone were the same. 

N -Never give up. Neuroscience tells us that when people are in conflict, they typically are not presenting the best versions of themselves. Old habits are hard to break; change takes time, and recognizing that there are people, places and things that we cannot control when we want to … is frustrating. Find opportunities to apply these techniques until you find your groove.

S– Stay clear of controversial issues. Tensions are high, people are stressed, and the world is changing daily. If you know that a particular topic is likely to escalate instead of de-escalating a situation, try your best to avoid it.   

Conflict is showing no signs of slowing down, so it is imperative that you have your PLANS to manage, prevent and resolve conflict as it arises.