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Leo is the manager of a division in a manufacturing company. Several of Leo’s team members have repeatedly asked him to meet with David because he is frequently an hour late for work. Leo has been putting off the meeting for weeks, but after being reminded (again), he finally schedules a time to talk to David. However, when David shows up for the meeting, Leo claims he needs to reschedule because of a production “emergency.” Which type of conflict management style does Leo likely have?

• avoiding

• compromising

• accommodating

• competing

Studies have found that when group members have cultural differences, this approach to conflict management works best.

• avoiding

• collaborative

• accommodating

• competing

Carley tries to win every argument, even if it’s at the expense of everyone else on her team. Which kind of conflict management style does Carley most likely have?

• avoiding

• compromising

• accommodating

• competing

What is one disadvantage of having an accommodating conflict management style?

• There are times when the wisest course is to pause or redirect the conversation.

• The final decision may not quite be what anyone had in mind, and it may not really solve the problem.

• This conflict management style often results in greater defensiveness.

• • Giving in too quickly to what others want may cause the group to make a bad decision.

A manufacturing company installed a rebuilt conveyor system that kept breaking down, resulting in a variety of safety hazards. The machine operators’ union became involved and threatened to strike and to report the company to the state safety inspector if the issue was not resolved. In response, the company offered to pay the workers more money and to replace the most problematic components of the conveyor system. However, the union declined the company’s offer, went on strike, and contacted the state inspector. Why did the union refuse to compromise?

• • The company’s solutions would not solve the safety problems.

• The union wanted to quickly resolve the conflict

• The union wanted more money.

• The union did not want the state safety inspector to visit