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. Paraphrasing during a conflict conversation primarily helps to: → Confirm you have understood the other party correctly
2. A manager needs to enforce a safety regulation immediately during an emergency. Which conflict management style is most appropriate? → Competing
3. If you and another person have been at odds, you should keep in mind to → Compromise, if needed
4. What does 'mutual gains negotiation' prioritize? → Expanding the total value available before dividing it between parties
5. What is 'interest-based relational' (IBR) conflict resolution focused on? → Preserving relationships while addressing underlying interests
6. What is the first thing you should do to manage a conflict? → Acknowledge the problem
7. What can positive conflicts on projects lead to? → New ideas and thinking which can benefit the team as well as the project
8. The compromising style in conflict management is best described as: → Finding a mutually acceptable middle ground
9. What is the primary role of a neutral mediator in conflict resolution? → Facilitate communication between parties to help them reach their own agreement
10. Which important managerial ability involves compromise, creative thinking, and the use of various strategies based on the situation? → Conflict management
11. Why is it so important to get necessary information in conflict resolution? → To understand all sides of the problem
12. What is the downside of the "peacekeeper" mode? → Reveals the leader as a "doormat" who will accommodate to anyone who causes conflict
13. What happens when you constantly fight with your fellow worker? → It leaves you drained and spoils your reputation
14. What is 'interest-based negotiation' as described by Fisher and Ury? → Focusing on the underlying needs and interests of parties rather than stated positions
15. 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
16. Why is conflict management so vital to a company's success? → All of the above
17. What is one possible advantage of utilizing the collaborative conflict management style? → Creating win-win solutions
18. Ignoring the issue and failing to take any steps to resolve it → Avoiding
19. What is the accommodating approach to conflict management? → Putting other person’s needs and desires ahead of your own
20. Why should feelings be excluded from discussions? → An angry outburst may end a conflict, but it's only temporary
21. Which conflict resolution techniques can lead to the most trouble? → The avoiding style
22. When a person has to fulfill two or more contrasting sets of expectations, what is the outcome? → Role conflict
23. What is 'integrative negotiation'? → A win-win approach that seeks creative solutions satisfying key interests of all parties
24. The ideal method for solving a conflict is always a collaboration. → False
25. Which skill is important in resolving conflicts stemming from stubbornness? → Patience
26. Which de-escalation technique involves intentionally lowering your own voice when a conflict becomes heated? → Vocal de-escalation
27. Which trait means being truthful throughout a disagreement in order to reach a quicker conclusion? → Open communication
28. What is the purpose of identifying 'reservation points' before entering a negotiation? → To know the absolute worst deal you would still accept before walking away
29. Why is it important to be aware of the different stages of conflict? → To look for the ideal ways to meet the common goal
30. A team must reach a quick decision; both parties have equal power but are firmly entrenched in their positions. Which style often provides a pragmatic solution? → Compromising