What two questions should you ask yourself when analyzing a conflict?

When analyzing a conflict, asking what it is about and how it got started provides crucial context needed to understand the underlying issues. The first question helps clarify the main subject or points of contention, allowing for a focused approach in resolving the situation. Knowing the specifics behind the conflict helps identify emotions, values, or needs that might be at stake.

The second question about how the conflict started can reveal important dynamics that contributed to the situation. By understanding the root causes, you can address those issues directly instead of merely reacting to the conflict's symptoms. This combination of questions builds a foundational understanding, which is essential for effective conflict resolution and strategies moving forward.

This approach differs from the other choices. While considering possible outcomes and what you can control is significant for strategic planning, it comes after understanding the nature and history of the conflict. Similarly, knowing who is involved and what they want is important for negotiation, but again, it requires the clarity of what the conflict is fundamentally about and how it originated to be fully effective. Lastly, reflecting on when the conflict occurred and why it matters can provide context but may not address the immediate need to define and understand the conflict itself.