Conflict Management Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Conflict Management facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which skill involves setting and enforcing ground rules at the beginning of a conflict resolution session? → Process structuring
2. Paraphrasing during a conflict conversation primarily helps to: → Confirm you have understood the other party correctly
3. A manager needs to enforce a safety regulation immediately during an emergency. Which conflict management style is most appropriate? → Competing
4. If you and another person have been at odds, you should keep in mind to → Compromise, if needed
5. What does 'mutual gains negotiation' prioritize? → Expanding the total value available before dividing it between parties
6. What is 'interest-based relational' (IBR) conflict resolution focused on? → Preserving relationships while addressing underlying interests
7. What is the first thing you should do to manage a conflict? → Acknowledge the problem
8. Which conflict de-escalation technique involves acknowledging the other party's emotions before presenting your own perspective? → Empathic validation
9. What can positive conflicts on projects lead to? → New ideas and thinking which can benefit the team as well as the project
10. Which stage of Pondy's conflict model involves parties becoming aware that a conflict exists? → Perceived conflict
11. Which conflict management style is characterized by low assertiveness and high cooperativeness? → Accommodating
12. The compromising style in conflict management is best described as: → Finding a mutually acceptable middle ground
13. What is the primary role of a neutral mediator in conflict resolution? → Facilitate communication between parties to help them reach their own agreement
14. Which important managerial ability involves compromise, creative thinking, and the use of various strategies based on the situation? → Conflict management
15. Why is it so important to get necessary information in conflict resolution? → To understand all sides of the problem
16. What is the downside of the "peacekeeper" mode? → Reveals the leader as a "doormat" who will accommodate to anyone who causes conflict
17. What is the primary goal of a 'cooling-off period' in conflict management? → To allow emotional arousal to subside so rational dialogue can occur
18. What is 'shuttle diplomacy' in the context of workplace conflict? → A mediator alternating between parties separately rather than meeting jointly
19. What happens when you constantly fight with your fellow worker? → It leaves you drained and spoils your reputation
20. Which conflict resolution strategy involves each party giving up something to reach an agreement? → Compromise
21. In the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument, which style is high in both assertiveness and cooperativeness? → Collaborating
22. What is 'interest-based negotiation' as described by Fisher and Ury? → Focusing on the underlying needs and interests of parties rather than stated positions
23. A manager mediating a conflict asks each party, 'What outcome would make this situation acceptable to you?' This technique is called: → Future-focused questioning
24. A mediator summarizes the key points of agreement at the end of each session. This skill is called: → Session recapping
25. An employee repeatedly misses deadlines, causing team conflict. What is the FIRST step a manager should take? → Hold a private conversation to understand the root cause
26. Why is conflict management so vital to a company's success? → All of the above
27. What is one possible advantage of utilizing the collaborative conflict management style? → Creating win-win solutions
28. In workplace conflict, 'positional bargaining' refers to: → Each side stating fixed demands and refusing to budge
29. Ignoring the issue and failing to take any steps to resolve it → Avoiding
30. What is the accommodating approach to conflict management? → Putting other person’s needs and desires ahead of your own