Most of us would rather dodge a conflict than face it head-on. We avoid it at home, in the office, and even in our own thoughts. But conflict doesn’t usually disappear on its own. Ignoring it can allow tension to build, relationships to break down, and productivity to suffer.

💢 Common Reasons People Avoid Conflict

1. Strong Emotions

Sometimes one—or both—parties feel too emotional to think clearly. Anger, frustration, or hurt can block rational thinking and keep people stuck in the past, unable to move forward constructively.

2. Lack of Trust

Old wounds, broken promises, or previous threats can destroy trust. Without trust, it’s hard to believe that conflict can be resolved fairly or that others have good intentions.

3. Poor Communication

Conflicting styles, hostile tone, or dismissive body language can make communication feel impossible. If one person feels unheard or misunderstood, it becomes harder to engage in productive dialogue.

See also: Barriers to Good Communication

4. Seeing Only One Solution

When someone walks into a conversation believing there’s only one possible solution—their own—they shut the door on creative problem solving. But most conflicts have multiple paths to resolution.

5. Overconfidence

Support from coworkers or friends can make someone feel invincible. But feeling backed up doesn’t necessarily mean your position is fair—or effective. Overconfidence often blocks compromise.

6. Stubbornness

Even when a proposed solution is fair, it may be rejected simply because of who suggested it. Personal bias or ego can get in the way of resolution, especially when tensions are already high.

🔍 What This Means for You

Avoiding conflict may feel safer, but the longer it’s left unaddressed, the worse it usually gets. Dealing with conflict constructively means learning how to spot the internal resistance and push through it. This takes practice—and tools.

Explore the rest of our conflict resolution resources for tips, real-world scenarios, and training tools that help individuals and teams face conflict with clarity and confidence.

📘 Ready to Equip Your Team?

Check out our Conflict Resolution Training Package. It includes customizable slides, trainer scripts, and activities to help teams overcome resistance and address conflict head-on.