#3: Resolving interpersonal conflict

I hope you have not gone crazy after watched that video.

Our two close buddies, Opie and Anthony, had finally blew the whole Earth up just by non-stop quarrelling itself. After laughing at these two, don’t we have to deeply think about what exactly went wrong between them, or more generally, among the very group of people who are having the same problem with O and A?

Interpersonal conflict is usually caused by lack of effective communication between the two. As a result, one may not understand the other one’s real meaning as well as not able to express him correctly. Just like what Opie has said “You can’t say ‘voice my opinion’ when all it does is piss you off”, Anthony kept asking Opie to express himself freely while not really listening to his opinions. Is this a good way of communication? Of course not. Opie also chose wrong way of expressing himself, frankly speaking, not friendly and making sense. He always complained anything he did not agree. Such conversations will never be effective at all.

Another possible reason will always lead to conflict or misunderstanding is one’s self-centered perspective. Anthony is such a self-centered person who does not consider other’s feelings and opinions at all. He will say “You are insane” just because he thinks Opie is insane when Opie behaves so strangely. He did not realize that he might hurt his friend by saying that. He kept saying that until Opie eventually retorted angrily. All of this can be avoided if Anthony could think from a more mature perspective or he can think from his friend’s point of view. Sometimes, to let others understand you, understand them first.


All in all, resolving interpersonal conflict is hard work. It requires self-awareness, courage, compassion and patience. And most importantly, think from a different perspective.