CCM Professional Ethics & Governance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A conflict manager discovers mid-mediation that one party is a close personal friend. The ethically correct action is to:
- Continue unless the other party objects
- Disclose the relationship and offer to withdraw (Correct answer)
- Keep the information private to maintain neutrality
- Ask the friend to leave the session temporarily
Correct answer: Disclose the relationship and offer to withdraw
Disclosure of any personal relationship that could affect impartiality is required, and the mediator must offer withdrawal to protect process integrity.
Question 2: Which governance document typically outlines the ethical obligations binding all members of a conflict management organization?
- Strategic plan
- Code of professional conduct (Correct answer)
- Memorandum of understanding
- Conflict intake form
Correct answer: Code of professional conduct
A code of professional conduct formally articulates the ethical standards and obligations members of the organization must uphold.
Question 3: Under the principle of self-determination in mediation, who ultimately decides the outcome of a dispute?
- The mediator
- The supervising organization
- The parties themselves (Correct answer)
- A neutral arbitrator
Correct answer: The parties themselves
Self-determination holds that parties retain authority over decisions made in mediation; the mediator facilitates but does not impose outcomes.
Question 4: A CCM practitioner is asked to testify about statements made during a confidential mediation session. The appropriate response is to:
- Testify fully to assist the court
- Invoke mediation confidentiality protections and decline unless required by law (Correct answer)
- Provide a written summary instead of testifying
- Consult only the requesting party before deciding
Correct answer: Invoke mediation confidentiality protections and decline unless required by law
Mediation confidentiality statutes and ethical codes generally prohibit disclosure of session content unless a specific legal exception applies.
Question 5: When a conflict manager operates beyond their area of competence, the primary ethical concern is:
- Increasing billable hours
- Harm to parties from inadequate service (Correct answer)
- Violating antitrust regulations
- Breaching marketing standards
Correct answer: Harm to parties from inadequate service
Practicing outside one's competence risks providing inadequate assistance and can harm parties who rely on the practitioner's expertise.
Question 6: Dual-role conflicts arise when a conflict manager simultaneously acts as:
- Mediator and note-taker
- Mediator and advocate for one party (Correct answer)
- Trainer and supervisor
- Intake coordinator and scheduler
Correct answer: Mediator and advocate for one party
Serving as both neutral mediator and advocate for one party creates an irreconcilable conflict of interest that undermines impartiality.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the ethical duty of competence for a CCM professional?
- Passing a written exam once every five years
- Continuously developing skills and knowledge relevant to conflict management practice (Correct answer)
- Delegating complex cases to more experienced colleagues only
- Maintaining membership in at least two professional associations
Correct answer: Continuously developing skills and knowledge relevant to conflict management practice
The duty of competence requires ongoing education and skill development to ensure practitioners can effectively serve parties in evolving conflict contexts.
CCM Professional Ethics & Governance 2
A conflict manager discovers mid-mediation that one party is a close personal friend.
The ethically correct action is to: