The HN community is quick to attack MBAs, but when my first startup was in trouble, the founders weren't communicating, and Board members were yelling at each other, the conflict resolution skills of one board member, a business school professor, may have helped the situation more than anything else. His skills were a major motivation for me to go to business school, where I learned many relevant skills -- negotiation, general management, leadership, etc.<p>I now consider conflict management and resolution skills among the most important in making relationships endure and critically important for business leadership.<p>From one of my blog posts, "How to make relationships last":<p>I consider the main skills in resolving conflict<p>- Listening to others’ issues to understand them<p>- Making them feel understood<p>- Supporting them for their beliefs without judgment, even if you don’t agree or support their beliefs (not the distinction between supporting someone versus supporting their beliefs)<p>- Communicating your issues without blaming<p>- Maintaining calm<p>- Patience<p>- After all those, regular problem-solving skills<p>Develop those skills and you’ll be able to make relationships last longer by instilling loyalty.