Conflict Management Conflict Management in the Workplace 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which conflict management style is best when a quick decision is needed in a crisis and you have authority?
- Collaborating
- Avoiding
- Competing (Correct answer)
- Compromising
Correct answer: Competing
The competing style is appropriate when a fast, decisive action is required and there is no time for discussion.
Question 2: An employee repeatedly misses deadlines, causing team conflict. What is the FIRST step a manager should take?
- Issue a written warning immediately
- Hold a private conversation to understand the root cause (Correct answer)
- Reassign the employee's tasks
- Escalate to HR without discussion
Correct answer: Hold a private conversation to understand the root cause
A private conversation allows the manager to understand underlying issues before taking further action.
Question 3: What does 'positional bargaining' in workplace conflict refer to?
- Focusing on underlying interests of both parties
- Each party stating a fixed demand and refusing to move (Correct answer)
- Using a neutral third party to decide the outcome
- Documenting grievances in writing
Correct answer: Each party stating a fixed demand and refusing to move
Positional bargaining occurs when each side holds firm to a stated position rather than exploring shared interests.
Question 4: Which of the following is a structural cause of workplace conflict?
- Personality clashes between coworkers
- Ambiguous roles and overlapping responsibilities (Correct answer)
- Differences in personal values
- Poor communication habits
Correct answer: Ambiguous roles and overlapping responsibilities
Structural causes include unclear reporting lines, role ambiguity, and resource competition rather than personal differences.
Question 5: A manager notices two team members are in conflict but neither has reported it. What is the recommended approach?
- Wait until it escalates before intervening
- Proactively address it early to prevent escalation (Correct answer)
- Separate the two employees permanently
- Report them both to HR immediately
Correct answer: Proactively address it early to prevent escalation
Early intervention prevents minor conflicts from escalating into major disruptions that harm productivity and morale.
Question 6: Which term describes the tension that arises when an employee receives conflicting demands from two or more supervisors?
- Intragroup conflict
- Role conflict (Correct answer)
- Interpersonal conflict
- Task conflict
Correct answer: Role conflict
Role conflict occurs when a person faces incompatible expectations from different sources of authority.
Conflict Management Conflict Management in the Workplace 1
Which conflict management style is best when a quick decision is needed in a crisis and you have authority?