In any conflict situation it is important to keep the discussion objective. Do not let it degenerate into an emotional battle of egos. To achieve this it is important to focus on positive requirements - what does each party seek to achieve?
Can this be accommodated and a satisfactory solution reached?
Should any party raise the question of what they don't want to happen, this should be converted into positive requirements. What is required rather than what is not required - that should be the essence.. What is not required should be a constraint. Don't let it become a goal. One gets what one focuses on.
Focus on the negative, and the whole discussion becomes negative and a satisfactory resolution becomes extremely difficult.
By emphasizing the benefits to be gained for all parties it is possible to keep the discussion objective and to progress to a satisfactory conclusion for all parties. That should be the purpose of any negotiation - for each party to voice their objections, concerns and requirements, and for accommodation to be achieved.
The discussion should be conducted as a discourse, with constructive input from both sides. The advantages to be gained should be concentrated on. Ways of mitigating any disadvantages need to be sought. Perhaps an offer of some reasonable compensation could be made. After all, the benefits should justify a certain amount of compensation, for all parties.
This might require some old-fashioned horse-trading, with offers and counter-offers made. Just as long as the process is positive and objective.
Perhaps in this sense , "conflict" could be regarded as another word for "stalled negotiations".. After all, conflicts arise due to differing requirements an managing any conflict requires decisions to be made about how those differences should be handled to the best advantage of all parties concerned.
An impersonal approach and the willingness to make concessions are important in conflict management. It should be remembered that ther are likely to be other negotiations in the future, and if all concerned feel they have gained then prospects for satisfactory future settlements are enhanced.