Determine if conflict avoidance is right for this situation. According to Ron Ashkenas, blogging for the "Harvard Business Review," conflict avoidance can lead to more problems if it's habitual. While he believes humans naturally want to avoid conflict out of a desire to be liked, working out issues can actually lead to more healthy and productive relationships.
Situations where conflict avoidance might be helpful could include times when the issue is minor and not worth discussing. It could also be helpful for someone who has a temper, in helping them to see that not all issues warrant anger. Role play can be helpful for those learning to confront conflicts, as this is a safe way to test out confrontation.
Decide who will be in the role play. The players could be both people involved or it could be just one. The one person involved could be the one needing to learn how to either avoid or be open to conflict, or they could be the person dealing with another person's conflict issues. This is a helpful option if the other person is a colleague or in a role where a productive relationship is necessary, but there is not a personal connection.
Make a list of your goals for the role play. According to the Carleton College website, this is an important step because it influences what the role play will constitute, and determines if your goal is a better personal relationship or a more effective working relationship. Be realistic in your goals, and start small. Don't assume that role play will immediately make all issues disappear.
Role play the scenario, being open to new emotions and situations that may come up. According to Adam Blatner's essay "Role Playing in Education," role playing is effective precisely because it lets the participants expand their minds by simulating new possible experiences.
This kind of learning, in contrast with memorization, is based on experience. If you or your partner feels foolish, remember that studies have shown that role playing can change behaviors.
Debrief after the role play. This step is crucial because it allows participants to think about what they've learned and how they might use this knowledge in real situations, according to the Carleton College website. Think about how effective the role play was, and how you might change it next time.