Resolvability Assessment Tool

Not all conflicts can be resolved. This tool helps you assess whether a conflict is resolvable or if it's time to part ways.

Why Assess Resolvability?

Knowing if it's resolvable:

• Don't waste time on unresolvable conflicts
• Know when to keep trying
• Know when to let go
• Make informed decisions
• Reduce frustration
• Move forward

Without assessment:

• Waste time trying to fix unfixable
• Give up too early on fixable
• Unclear path forward
• Prolonged frustration
• Damage relationships

Resolvability Factors

1. Willingness to Resolve

Both parties must:

• Want to resolve it
• Be willing to work on it
• Be open to compromise
• Care about the relationship
• Invest effort

If one or both aren't willing:

• Conflict is likely unresolvable
• No amount of effort will fix it
• Time to consider parting ways

2. Nature of the Conflict

Resolvable conflicts:

• Misunderstandings
• Different approaches to same goal
• Skill/behavior issues
• Communication problems
• Logistical issues

Unresolvable conflicts:

• Fundamental value differences
• Incompatible goals
• Personality incompatibility
• Repeated pattern with no change
• Abuse or harassment

3. History and Pattern

Resolvable:

• First occurrence
• Isolated incident
• Improving over time
• Responsive to feedback
• Learning and growing

Unresolvable:

• Repeated pattern
• Getting worse over time
• Not responsive to feedback
• No change despite efforts
• Broken trust

4. Impact on Band

Resolvable:

• Contained to two people
• Doesn't affect band function
• Can work around it
• Temporary impact

Unresolvable:

• Affects whole band
• Disrupts band function
• Can't work around it
• Ongoing damage

Resolvability Assessment

Part 1: Willingness Assessment

Rate each statement (1-5):

• 1 = Strongly disagree
• 3 = Neutral
• 5 = Strongly agree

Person A:

1. Wants to resolve the conflict: ___/5
2. Willing to work on it: ___/5
3. Open to compromise: ___/5
4. Cares about the relationship: ___/5
5. Willing to invest effort: ___/5

Person A Total: ___/25

Person B:

1. Wants to resolve the conflict: ___/5
2. Willing to work on it: ___/5
3. Open to compromise: ___/5
4. Cares about the relationship: ___/5
5. Willing to invest effort: ___/5

Person B Total: ___/25

Willingness Score: (A + B) = ___/50

Interpretation:

• 40-50: High willingness, likely resolvable
• 30-39: Moderate willingness, may be resolvable
• 20-29: Low willingness, unlikely resolvable
• Below 20: Very low willingness, likely unresolvable

Part 2: Nature of Conflict

Check all that apply:

Resolvable types:

• Misunderstanding
• Different communication styles
• Different approaches to same goal
• Skill or behavior issue
• Logistical problem
• Temporary stress/circumstances

Unresolvable types:

• Fundamental value differences
• Incompatible goals
• Personality incompatibility
• Abuse or harassment
• Dishonesty or betrayal
• Irreconcilable differences

Nature Assessment:

• Mostly resolvable types: Likely resolvable
• Mix of both: May be resolvable
• Mostly unresolvable types: Likely unresolvable

Part 3: History and Pattern

Rate each statement (1-5):

1. This is the first time this has happened: ___/5
2. The situation is improving over time: ___/5
3. They're responsive to feedback: ___/5
4. They're learning and growing: ___/5
5. Trust is intact or repairable: ___/5

History Score: ___/25

Interpretation:

• 20-25: Good history, likely resolvable
• 15-19: Okay history, may be resolvable
• 10-14: Poor history, unlikely resolvable
• Below 10: Very poor history, likely unresolvable

Part 4: Impact Assessment

Rate each statement (1-5):

1. Conflict is contained to two people: ___/5
2. Band can still function: ___/5
3. Impact is temporary: ___/5
4. Can work around it: ___/5
5. Not causing ongoing damage: ___/5

Impact Score: ___/25

Interpretation:

• 20-25: Low impact, likely resolvable
• 15-19: Moderate impact, may be resolvable
• 10-14: High impact, unlikely resolvable
• Below 10: Severe impact, likely unresolvable

Overall Resolvability Score

Add all scores:

• Willingness: ___/50
• History: ___/25
• Impact: ___/25

Total: ___/100

Interpretation:

80-100: Highly Resolvable

• Strong indicators of resolvability
• Worth significant effort
• Good chance of resolution
• Invest in resolving

60-79: Moderately Resolvable

• Mixed indicators
• Worth trying to resolve
• May require significant effort
• Set timeline for improvement

40-59: Questionably Resolvable

• Weak indicators
• May not be worth effort
• Consider alternatives
• Short timeline for improvement

Below 40: Likely Unresolvable

• Strong indicators of unresolvability
• Probably not worth effort
• Consider parting ways
• Don't prolong the inevitable

Red Flags (Automatic Unresolvable)

If any of these are present, conflict is likely unresolvable:

• Physical violence or threats
• Sexual harassment
• Repeated dishonesty
• Zero willingness to resolve
• Fundamental value conflicts (e.g., racism, sexism)
• Repeated pattern with no change
• Abuse of any kind
• Complete breakdown of trust

If you checked any, strongly consider parting ways.

Decision Framework

If Highly Resolvable (80-100)

Action:

• Invest in resolution
• Use conflict resolution tools
• Give it time and effort
• Work with mediator if needed
• Expect positive outcome

Timeline:

• 1-3 months for improvement
• Regular check-ins
• Adjust approach as needed

If Moderately Resolvable (60-79)

Action:

• Try to resolve
• Set clear expectations
• Define success criteria
• Set timeline
• Be prepared to part ways if no improvement

Timeline:

• 1-2 months for improvement
• Weekly check-ins
• Clear milestones
• Decision point at end

If Questionably Resolvable (40-59)

Action:

• One serious attempt
• Very clear expectations
• Short timeline
• Prepare for parting ways
• Don't invest too much

Timeline:

• 2-4 weeks for improvement
• Frequent check-ins
• Clear decision point
• Likely outcome: parting ways

If Likely Unresolvable (Below 40)

Action:

• Don't waste time trying to resolve
• Plan transition
• Part ways professionally
• Focus on moving forward

Timeline:

• Immediate to 2 weeks
• Focus on logistics
• Clean break
• Move on

Questions to Ask

Before Deciding

1. Have we tried everything?

• Direct conversation?
• Mediation?
• Clear expectations?
• Adequate time?

2. Is there willingness from both sides?

• Do both want to resolve it?
• Are both willing to work on it?
• Are both open to compromise?

3. What's the cost of continuing?

• To the relationship?
• To the band?
• To everyone's wellbeing?
• To our goals?

4. What's the cost of parting ways?

• Finding replacement?
• Starting over?
• Financial impact?
• Emotional impact?

5. What does our gut say?

• Does it feel resolvable?
• Are we just avoiding hard decision?
• What's the right thing to do?

When to Keep Trying

Keep trying if:

• Both parties willing
• Resolvable type of conflict
• Improving over time
• Low to moderate impact
• Trust is intact
• First occurrence
• Clear path to resolution

When to Part Ways

Part ways if:

• One or both unwilling
• Unresolvable type of conflict
• Getting worse over time
• High impact on band
• Trust is broken
• Repeated pattern
• No path to resolution
• Red flags present

Key Takeaways

1. Not all conflicts are resolvable - Some require parting ways
2. Willingness is essential - Both must want to resolve it
3. Nature matters - Some conflicts are inherently unresolvable
4. Patterns reveal truth - Repeated issues unlikely to change
5. Impact matters - High impact conflicts need quick resolution
6. Red flags are red flags - Don't ignore them
7. Know when to let go - Sometimes parting ways is best

Use this tool to assess whether a conflict is worth trying to resolve or if it's time to part ways. Make informed decisions based on objective assessment.