The 10-step procedure for repairing broken relationships

When a work conflict has escalated to the point of breaking a relationship, a clear and structured process for reconciliation is needed.

Below is a 10-step procedure designed to rebuild trust and restore a healthy working relationship.

Initial steps: confrontation and alignment

Declare the breakup: The first step is to confront the other person and openly acknowledge that the relationship has broken down.

It is vital to be direct and say, "Our relationship is broken, and I want to fix it."

Express your goal: Clarify what you expect from the reconciliation, e.g., "I want us to be able to work together again."

Invite the other person to share your goal: After expressing your intention, ask the other person what his or her goal is.

If his or her answer aligns with yours ("I want to fix our relationship" ), there is common ground to start working on.

Understanding the situation

Share the facts: Invite the other person to share his or her perception of what happened.

It is critical to listen carefully, as their perception, even if it is not reality, is their truth. Then, share your version of the facts.

By comparing both perceptions, it is possible to identify the source of the conflict.

Commit to change: After understanding the situation, it is time for both parties to commit to changing their behaviors.

You can start with something small, such as "I commit to listen to you in the future."

Explore options: Work together to identify what has been lost in the relationship and what needs to be fixed.

Building the future

Develop a plan: Once you have a list of options, choose the ones that seem most viable and form a concrete plan to implement them.

This plan should be a joint effort and be forward-looking.

Reaffirm commitment: Both parties should reiterate their commitment to the plan and to the objectives that were established at the beginning.

This solidifies the remediation process and provides a platform for moving forward.

This detailed procedure is a roadmap for reconciliation, but its success depends on the willingness of both parties to be honest and committed to working on the relationship.