We often use fighting analogies in conflict resolution. We “beat” a disease, “overcome” our weaknesses, “dominate” a conversation. ,

A fight only has three possible outcomes: Victory, defeat, or draw -but most experiences in life are not zero-sum.

There can be growth in defeat, loss in victory, and momentum in a draw.

To ensure that we transform every experience into a growth opportunity, a better word to use is “graduation”.

After all, you cannot graduate from a conflict unless you’ve learned something new.

ht: Seth Teicher