Conflict Resolution Strategies

The five conflict resolution strategies are usually presented with collaboration at the top and everything else as a compromise on it. In practice each has situations where it is correct.

• Competing. Right where safety, law or a non-negotiable standard is at stake.
• Accommodating. Right when the issue matters far more to them than to you, and the relationship matters more than the point.
• Avoiding. Right when the issue is trivial or emotions are too high to be productive today. Wrong as a habit.
• Compromising. Right under time pressure, or where positions are genuinely incompatible.
• Collaborating. Right when the issue is important to both and there is time. It is expensive, which is why it is not always correct.

Reaching for collaboration on a trivial issue wastes everyone’s week. Safe Work Australia covers the psychosocial duty. This is general information rather than legal advice.

See Sentrient’s conflict resolution course and course for managers.