There are five basic approaches managers can use to try to resolve conflicts. Each has strengths and weaknesses, so choose the one most appropriate to your situation:
- Avoidance: not every conflict requires an assertive action. Avoidance works well for trivial conflicts or if emotions are running high and opposing parties need time to cool down.
- Accommodation: if you need to maintain a harmonious relationship, you may choose to concede your position on an issue that is much more important to the other party.
- Competition: satisfying your own needs at the expense of other parties is appropriate when you need a quick resolution on important issues, or where an unpopular action must be taken.
- Compromise: this works well when the parties are equal in power, or when you need a quick solution or a temporary solution to a complex issue.
- Collaboration: use this when the interests of all parties are too important to be ignored. Discuss the issues openly and honestly with all parties, listen actively, and make careful deliberation over a full range of alternatives.
ACTION POINT: Know when to use avoidance, accommodation, competition, compromise and collaboration to manage conflict.
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