Question 43

Compromising

The manager has instructed Employee A and Employee B to quickly reach a solution that will make both employees partially happy, which aligns with the compromising conflict management strategy. This approach seeks a middle ground, allowing both parties to gain some of their needs while conceding others.

A) Accommodating

Accommodating involves one party yielding to the other's wishes, which does not fit the scenario as it suggests one employee would give in entirely. The manager's instruction for both employees to be partially happy indicates a need for mutual agreement rather than one-sided accommodation.

B) Avoiding

Avoiding is a strategy where parties ignore the conflict or withdraw from the situation entirely. This is not applicable here, as the manager is actively seeking a resolution rather than allowing the conflict to persist or be ignored.

C) Compromising

Compromising is about finding a solution that is acceptable to both parties, often requiring concessions from each side. The manager's directive for both employees to reach a solution that makes them partially happy exemplifies this strategy perfectly, as it aims for a balance between their differing viewpoints.

D) Competing

Competing involves one party pursuing their own interests at the expense of the other, which is contrary to the manager's goal of ensuring that both employees feel partially satisfied. This approach would not support a collaborative resolution, as it prioritizes one party's needs over the others.

Conclusion

Compromising is the correct conflict management strategy in this scenario because it emphasizes a solution that satisfies both employees to some extent. In contrast, accommodating, avoiding, and competing do not align with the manager's intention for a quick, balanced resolution. Thus, compromising stands out as the most appropriate approach for the situation described.