The Physics of Conflict

​The Physics of Conflict: Action, Reaction, and Power
 
Newton’s Third Law of Motion tells us that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When one object exerts force on another, the second responds with the same strength in the opposite direction.
 
In life, action often comes at us when we’re unprepared. We may not even recognize it as “action” until we begin experiencing a change we didn’t initiate. That impact may benefit some, but for those with less power—those on the receiving end—it can diminish quality of life, limit options, create risk, or cause real harm.
 
Company policies are a clear example of action. When business owners, CEOs, or boards eliminate protections, shift policies, or allow inequitable work environments to persist, someone down the line absorbs the impact. Historically, unions are an example of reaction to those actions.
 
Unions emerged in the late 18th century as workers organized in response to poor working conditions, low wages, and long hours during the Industrial Revolution. The first recorded labor strike in the United States occurred in 1768, and by 1794, the Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers marked the beginning of sustained trade union organization. Metaphorically, when you push someone down, they fall. A union can be the structure that stops the fall—or catches them before they hit the ground.
This blog isn’t about unionizing, though unions have undeniably improved working conditions for many American workers. 
 
This blog is about reaction—how we respond when action is forced upon us, and how we retain or reclaim our power. Reaction is power. We can’t control what others do or say, but we can control how we respond.
 
Collectively, we hold power. When people react together, they can neutralize harmful actions. Equal strength applied in the opposite direction can redirect—or even stop—negative momentum.
 
Individually, we also hold power. Personal power begins with recognizing what we do and do not control. While we may not be strong enough on our own to stop a harmful action, we always have agency over our reaction.
 
When I’m faced with negative action, my instinct is to push back. In my experience, that rarely changes the outcome—and I often fall anyway. Instead, I have learned to pause. I step back to see the bigger picture. I consider what might be driving the other person’s behavior. I even ask myself why the action landed the way it did. Only then do I choose how to respond. That pause might look like taking a walk, meditating, researching, or sitting with my emotions—anything that creates enough space to move from emotion to logic. I’ve noticed that when I feel the least powerful, I often discover my deepest inner strength. I have also learned that I don't have to go it alone. Reaching out to a friend or trusted colleague reminds me of the power we have as a collective.
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There’s another saying: action creates action. If every action produces an opposite reaction (afterall, action is embedded within reACTION), that reaction becomes the next action—and the cycle continues. In conflict, this cycle often looks like:
Harm → Defend → Harm.
 
At the mediation table, this pattern can change. We slow things down. We examine underlying issues and impacts. We explore options for resolution—and importantly, how parties will react differently in the future. We create processes that help prevent escalation and address perceived harm before it becomes entrenched conflict.
 
When organizations take action—through policy changes, restructuring, or cultural shifts—that create the perception of ill intent, unsustainable impacts, or actual disparate treatment, Newton’s Third Law is activated. Reaction is inevitable.
If you are on the receiving end, you may feel powerless. But your chosen reaction remains within your control.
 
Mediators and facilitators help create the safety needed for these difficult conversations. We help rebalance power, ensure voices are heard, and support reactions that lead to understanding, accountability, and meaningful change.
 
Reaction is inevitable. Choosing it wisely is where power lives.