The Project Manager's Conflict Resolution Technique
Question
Two team members approach a project manager with different ideas for completing a task.
After listening to the team members' ideas, the project manager does not choose either one and requires both members to finish the task as originally planned.
Which of the following conflict resolution techniques is the project manager applying?
Answers
Explanations
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A. B. C. D.B.
Explanation - Smoothing is a temporary way to resolve conflict.
In this technique, the areas of agreement are emphasized over the areas of difference Excerpt From: Kim Heldman.
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The conflict resolution technique that the project manager is applying in this scenario is "compromising." Compromising is a conflict resolution technique where both parties involved in the conflict are required to give up something to reach an agreement. In this scenario, the project manager has not chosen either team member's idea and has asked both team members to complete the task as originally planned. This means that both team members will have to compromise on their ideas and work together to complete the task.
Avoiding is a conflict resolution technique where the project manager ignores the conflict and hopes it will resolve itself or go away. In this scenario, the project manager is not avoiding the conflict as they are addressing it by requiring both team members to complete the task.
Smoothing is a conflict resolution technique where the project manager downplays the conflict and emphasizes the agreement points. In this scenario, the project manager is not smoothing the conflict as they are not focusing on the agreement points but instead requiring both team members to complete the task as originally planned.
Forcing is a conflict resolution technique where the project manager imposes their solution to the conflict on the parties involved. In this scenario, the project manager is not forcing a solution as they are not imposing either team member's idea on the other but instead requiring both team members to complete the task as originally planned.
In summary, the project manager is applying the compromising conflict resolution technique by requiring both team members to give up something and work together to complete the task as originally planned.
