Character Trait: Conciliatory

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Conciliatory refers to a person who is willing to make peace, soothe conflicts, and reconcile differences between individuals or groups. A conciliatory person is adept at understanding different perspectives and finding common ground to resolve disputes. They are patient, empathetic, and have excellent communication skills that enable them to listen actively and communicate effectively. A conciliatory person is not confrontational and does not seek to impose their views on others but instead seeks to find mutually beneficial solutions that satisfy everyone involved.

Possible causes of being conciliatory

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• A belief in the power of communication and compromise to achieve goals
• A desire to maintain harmony and avoid confrontation
• Strong empathy skills, allowing one to understand and accommodate different perspectives
• Personal experiences of successful conflict resolution and negotiation
• Growing up in an environment that values compromise and conflict resolution
• Exposure to diverse cultures and viewpoints, leading to a more open-minded approach to conflict

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Behaviors associated with being conciliatory

You may be able to show your character's trait of conciliatory by using these.

• Maintaining a calm and respectful demeanor, even in tense situations
• Apologizing for any mistakes or misunderstandings
• Offering compromises and solutions that benefit all parties involved
• Seeking to understand both sides of a conflict
• Avoiding blame or defensiveness
• Listening actively and empathetically to others' perspectives
• Acknowledging the emotions of others and showing empathy

Attitudes associated with being conciliatory

You may be able to show conciliatory through their attitudes.

• Openness to considering different perspectives and ideas
• Willingness to listen to all parties involved in a conflict
• Humility and willingness to admit one's own mistakes or faults
• Respect for others' opinions and beliefs
• Diplomacy and tact in communication with others
• Patience and willingness to compromise to reach a solution
• Ability to empathize with others and understand their feelings

Thoughts and struggles associated with being conciliatory

Here are some ideas for things your conciliatory character may think or struggle with.

• This can lead to a sense of feeling stuck or trapped in certain situations.
• They may have a tendency to apologize excessively, even for things that are not their fault, in an effort to smooth things over.
• This can result in them feeling taken advantage of or becoming overwhelmed by the demands of others.
• They may struggle with assertiveness, finding it difficult to stand up for themselves or their beliefs in order to avoid conflict.
• A conciliatory character often prioritizes maintaining peace and harmony in their relationships with others.
• They may also struggle with decision-making, as they fear making choices that could upset others or disrupt the status quo.
• This can lead to feelings of resentment or frustration when their own needs or wants are consistently ignored.
• They may also struggle with setting boundaries, as they don't want to appear confrontational or cause conflict.

Emotions associated with being conciliatory

Here are some ideas for emotions your conciliatory character may experience.

• Diplomacy
• Empathy
• Flexibility
• Forgiveness
• Patience
• Willingness to compromise
• Tolerance
• Open-mindedness
• Understanding

Facial expressions associated with being conciliatory

Here are some facial expressions your conciliatory character may exhibit.

• A gentle smile
• Use of a calm and soothing tone of voice
• Nodding in agreement
• Softening of the eyes
• Avoidance of hostile or aggressive gestures or movements
• Leaning towards the person
• Tilting of the head
• Open and relaxed body language

Body language associated with being conciliatory

Here is some body language your conciliatory character may exhibit.

• Using a calm and reassuring tone of voice
• Leaning forward slightly
• Smiling or showing a friendly expression
• Nodding in agreement
• Avoiding aggressive or confrontational gestures, such as pointing or crossing arms
• Keeping an open posture with arms uncrossed
• Making eye contact

For detailed feedback on conciliatory characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's story analyzer.

Behaviors associated with being conciliatory

Here are some behaviors your conciliatory character may exhibit.

• Seeking to understand both sides of a conflict
• Listening actively and empathetically to others' perspectives
• Maintaining a calm and respectful demeanor, even in tense situations
• Apologizing for any mistakes or misunderstandings
• Acknowledging the emotions of others and showing empathy
• Avoiding blame or defensiveness
• Offering compromises and solutions that benefit all parties involved

Growth and evolution of conciliatory characters

Here are some ways that your conciliatory character may grow and evolve over time.

• Develop the skill of diffusing tense situations and creating a positive, collaborative environment
• Grow in empathy and compassion for others, even those they may disagree with
• Learn to apologize and make amends when appropriate
• Develop the skill of finding common ground between opposing views
• Overcome the fear of confrontation and become more assertive when necessary
• Acknowledge the feelings and needs of all parties involved in a conflict
• Learn to negotiate and compromise without compromising their own values or principles
• Develop a deeper understanding of their own values and beliefs and how they relate to conflicts
• Learn to listen actively to others' perspectives

Stereotypes of conciliatory characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical conciliatory character like these examples.

• Avoid making the character seem indecisive or wishy-washy by having them constantly change their mind or opinion based on the opinions of others.
• Avoid making the character seem overly emotional or sentimental by having them constantly seek validation or approval from others.
• Avoid making the character seem weak or passive by having them always give in to others without standing up for themselves or their beliefs.
• Avoid making the character seem insincere or fake by having them apologize or make amends without truly meaning it or taking responsibility for their actions.

Negatives of being conciliatory

Here are some potential negatives of being conciliatory. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• It may be difficult to establish boundaries or stand up for oneself when necessary.
• Being too accommodating can lead to being taken advantage of by others who are more assertive.
• It can be difficult to make decisions or take action when constantly trying to please everyone.
• Being too focused on reconciliation can cause one to overlook important issues or injustices that need to be addressed.
• Avoiding confrontation can lead to repressed emotions and a lack of authenticity in relationships.
• Being overly apologetic can come across as insincere or weak.

Positives of being conciliatory

Here are some potential positives of being conciliatory. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Conciliatory people are open-minded and willing to consider alternative viewpoints, which can lead to more creative and effective solutions to problems.
• They possess strong communication skills and can articulate their thoughts and feelings in a respectful and non-threatening manner.
• They are skilled at finding common ground and negotiating compromises that benefit all parties involved.
• They are empathetic and understanding, which can help build trust and foster positive relationships with others.
• Conciliatory individuals are patient and calm in conflict situations, which can help de-escalate tension and prevent further harm.
• Conciliatory people are good listeners and prioritize understanding the other person's perspective.

Verbal expressions of conciliatory characters

Here are some potential expressions used by conciliatory characters.

• "Let's find a middle ground."
• "Let's put this behind us and move forward."
• "Can we work together to find a solution?"
• "I'm willing to compromise."
• "I'm sorry if I've caused any offense."
• "I appreciate your perspective."
• "I understand where you're coming from."
• "I value our relationship and want to resolve this peacefully."
• "I hear what you're saying."

Relationships of conciliatory characters

Here are some ways that being conciliatory could affect your character's relationships.

• They may be skilled at mediation and conflict resolution, able to bring people with different perspectives together to find common ground.
• In their interactions with others, they may be empathetic and understanding, seeking to see things from the other person's perspective.
• They may be good at diffusing tense situations, using humor or diplomacy to ease tensions.
• They may struggle with asserting themselves or setting boundaries, as they may fear upsetting others.
• They may struggle with making decisions or taking action, as they may be hesitant to upset the status quo or make waves.
• They may be patient and forgiving, willing to give others multiple chances and work through issues.
• They may avoid conflict and confrontation, preferring instead to smooth things over and find compromises.
• Conciliatory people tend to be peacemakers who prioritize harmony in their relationships.

Examples from books of characters who are conciliatory

• Dumbledore from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" series by Suzanne Collins
• Jean Valjean from "Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo
• Solomon Northup from "Twelve Years a Slave" by Solomon Northup
• Samwise Gamgee from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Bertie Wooster from "Jeeves" series by P.G. Wodehouse
• Hazel Grace Lancaster from "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green

Writing exercises for writing conciliatory characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write conciliatory characters.

• Write a scene where your character is in a conflict with someone else. Instead of escalating the conflict, have your character try to find common ground and come up with a solution that benefits both parties.
• Write a scene where your character is faced with a difficult decision that will likely lead to conflict. Show how they weigh the pros and cons of each option and ultimately choose the path that will lead to the most peaceful resolution.
• Create a character who is normally confrontational or aggressive. Write a scene where your Conciliatory character interacts with them and tries to diffuse their anger or frustration.
• Imagine a scenario where your character witnesses someone else being mistreated or bullied. Write a scene where your character intervenes and tries to mediate the situation, rather than resorting to violence or aggression.
• Write a monologue or internal dialogue from your character's perspective, focusing on their thought process when dealing with conflicts. Show how they prioritize empathy and understanding over winning or being right.