224- Conflict Resolution

Vocabulary flashcards covering the five escalating levels of conflict on projects, related terms, and the skills needed to manage or prevent destructive disputes.

Project Conflict

Inevitable disagreements that arise among team members during a project; some conflict can be healthy if properly managed.

Conflict Escalation

The progression of a dispute through increasingly intense stages (Levels 1-5) when not effectively addressed.

Level 1 Conflict: Information Sharing

A mild dispute where parties simply state different ideas or approaches and exchange information.

Level 2 Conflict: Personal Protection

A disagreement centered on defending one’s own method—“my way is better”—but still focused on the work, not defeating the person.

Level 3 Conflict: Contest / Win-Lose

A stage where the goal becomes to win and make the other lose, making resolution much harder.

Level 4 Conflict: Crusade

Participants rally around their own group’s interests, largely ignoring the other side; often seen as nearly unsolvable within the project.

Level 5 Conflict: Destruction / Physical Altercation

The most severe stage where parties intend to destroy or physically harm each other; separation is required before any resolution attempt.

Interpersonal (Soft) Skills

Listening, empathy, and other people-management abilities used to understand perspectives and defuse tension.

Negotiation

Using discussion and compromise to find a middle ground and stop disputes from intensifying.

Conflict Prevention Strategy

Applying soft skills early to keep disagreements from moving beyond productive discussion into harmful escalation.