Conflict Resolution Strategies Flashcards
7 cards from real Soft Skills - Communication practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Conflict Resolution Strategies flashcards as text
When should a manager escalate a workplace conflict to HR rather than handling it themselves?
Answer: When the conflict involves potential policy violations, harassment, or legal concerns
HR escalation is warranted when conflicts touch on harassment, discrimination, legal liability, or serious policy breaches that require formal investigation.
What role does psychological safety play in conflict resolution within teams?
Answer: It allows team members to raise concerns without fear of retaliation, enabling earlier conflict resolution
Psychological safety encourages team members to surface issues early, preventing small disagreements from growing into damaging conflicts.
Two colleagues have recurring conflict over communication styles — one prefers detailed emails, the other prefers quick verbal updates. The best long-term solution is:
Answer: Negotiate a hybrid approach that respects both preferences
Negotiating a hybrid approach respects both communication styles and creates a sustainable working arrangement without requiring either party to abandon their preferences entirely.
Which of the following is a 'lose-lose' conflict outcome?
Answer: Both parties walk away with nothing after refusing to cooperate
A lose-lose outcome occurs when both parties fail to gain anything, often the result of rigid avoidance or extreme competitive behavior that collapses the negotiation.
What is the 'cooling-off' period technique in conflict resolution?
Answer: A deliberate pause giving parties time to manage emotions before continuing
A cooling-off period allows emotionally charged parties to regulate their feelings before resuming discussion, improving the quality and tone of the conversation.
Which statement best describes 'integrative' conflict resolution?
Answer: Parties work together to find creative solutions that fully meet both sets of needs
Integrative (win-win) resolution expands the possibilities by focusing on underlying interests, often finding solutions that satisfy both parties more fully than compromise alone.
After a conflict has been resolved, what is the most important follow-up action?
Answer: Monitor the situation and check in with both parties to ensure the agreement holds
Following up ensures the agreed solution is working, addresses any lingering issues early, and signals to both parties that leadership is invested in lasting resolution.