Here are two ways to resolve conflict in a manner that strengthens, rather than destroys relationships you have worked hard to build. First, take responsibility for yourself. Tell people how you feel. Don’t let others do things that make your life unpleasant. Second, stand up for yourself and resolve conflict in an assertive, non-aggressive, collaborative manner. Follow the career advice in Tweet 133 in Success Tweets. “Resolve conflict positively. Treat conflict as an opportunity to strengthen, not destroy, the relationships you’ve worked hard to build.” Conflict can destroy relationships – and it can strengthen them. When you find yourself in conflict with another person, choose to see it as an opportunity to strengthen your relationship with them. Collaborate with them to solve your joint problem. In this way, you’ll resolve conflict positively and strengthen the relationships that are key to your life and career success.

That’s my career advice on conflict resolution – and that of the Childcare Network as well. What do you think? Please take a minute to share your thoughts with us in a comment. As always, thanks for reading my daily musings on life and career success. I value you and I appreciate you.

Successful people follow the career advice in Tweet 123 in Success Tweets. “Use every social interaction to build and strengthen relationships. Strong relationships are your ticket to success.” Build and strengthen relationships by sweating the small stuff. T H I N K before you speak. Focus sending positive micro messages – the small things that show another person that you value him or her. Avoid “micro-inequities” – behaviors that demean people in small ways. Instead, focus on “micro-affirmations” – behaviors that encourage others and build their self-esteem.

Van Horsley of First Citizens Bank says that there are seven things he’s done over the course of his career to create his success. 1) Always act with integrity. 2) Show up early. 3) Work harder than your peers. 4) Learn your company’s business. 5) Get engaged in your company’s business. 6) Understand how what you do contributes to your company’s business success. 7) Make yourself indispensable to your boss. If you apply these common sense ideas in your career you’ll be on your way to the life and career success you want and deserve.

Your appearance says a lot about you. Dress in a manner that shows you respect yourself – and the people you will meet during your day. Take the time to show that you care – and people will respond positively to you. Dress one level up from what is expected and you will stand out from the crowd.

Creating positive personal impact is one of the competencies all successful people possess. You create positive personal impact by developing and nurturing your unique personal brand, being impeccable in your presentation of self, and knowing and following the basic rules of etiquette. Your personal brand should be uniquely you, but it should be built on integrity. Follow the advice in Tweet 62 in Success Tweets. “Your personal brand should be uniquely you, but built on integrity. Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking.” As the sad ending to Joe Paterno’s career and life demonstrates, even a momentary lapse in your integrity can lead to serious consequences for a carefully crafted brand.

Your happiness in life and your career success begins with a clear idea of how you define success for you personally. As research being done at Colorado State University indicates, a life and career filled with personal meaning, is likely to be a happier, more successful life and career. If you haven’t already done so, I suggest you take some time and think about your clarity of purpose. How do you define life and career success for yourself? Keep that purpose and definition of career success in mind as you move forward in your life and career.

Successful people create positive personal impact. People who create positive personal impact develop and nurture their unique personal brand. The best personal brands are authentic. Peggy Williams, retired president of Ithaca College, has a unique personal brand. She doesn’t take herself too seriously. And, believe me that is a truly unique personal brand in higher education. She is true to her brand. She is authentic. If you follow Peggy’s model, you too, will create positive personal impact and be on your way to a successful life and career.