Conflict is inevitable in every marriage - from small disputes, such as who should wash the dishes, to heated arguments over household budgets. Resolving these issues requires the couple to negotiate to achieve a mutually desirable outcome for both parties. However, making a successful negotiation is often easier said than done. In this article, Family Life Educator at TOUCH Marriage Support, Ms Chang Mun Lan, and her team share some tips on how to negotiate with your partner so that the outcome will always be a win-win.
Many might think that the negotiation starts when the conflict first surfaces. But in fact, the process begins way before there are any signs of choppy waters. According to Ms Chang, to have successful negotiations, the couple must first possess a large ‘emotional bank account’ which they would have shared and built over time.[1] Based on the research done by Emeritus Professor, Dr John Gottman, this ‘emotional bank account’ grows as partners react positively to each other’s requests for favours and ‘repair attempts’ – any act or statement that is meant to diffuse negativity.[2] So, the more you turn towards your partner to fulfil a favour – like giving them a massage or helping out with chores – and accept their repair attempts, the more the couple builds mutual trust. Couples who frequently turn to each other are more likely to be able to work together to help each other achieve what they want. On the other hand, couples who often do not respond or respond negatively to these favours and repair attempts will gradually become emotionally distanced. So, when a conflict arises, they are less likely to have the patience and willingness to negotiate, resulting in neither party getting what they want. Therefore, building this emotional bank account should be one of the main goals of every couple. Be receptive towards your partner. Perform small actions that make them feel special and try to do so frequently. Put in the effort to respond positively, even when you’re not feeling it. These things, although seemingly insignificant, become an investment that would serve as a cushion when times get rough.
Want to know more about marriage, parenting or any family-related support? Contact TOUCH Integrated Family Group at 6709 8400 or click here to find out more. TOUCH Integrated Family Group (TIFG) is TOUCH’s newest service group, set up in January 2020. TIFG focuses on Family Resources to help families cope with different stressors along their life course, transition of roles in Family Transitions, Relationships & Growth, and building Family Resilience. With TOUCH’s multi-service experience in meeting the needs of disadvantaged children, youth-at-risk and vulnerable families since 1992, TIFG aims to equip families with resources and enable them to build resilience. This is done through an integrated suite of services to support the family as a unit, with emphasis on education, intervention and advocacy.
[1] More on emotional bank account: https://www.gottman.com/blog/invest-relationship-emotional-bank-account/
[2] More on repair attempts here: https://www.gottman.com/blog/r-is-for-repair/