Handling Conflict - Conflict Management Styles

Assertiveness

Satisfy own concerns.

Cooperativeness

Satisfy others.

Competing (win/lose)

Assertive and uncooperative. High concern for self/low concern for others. Can lead to an increase in conflict. Escalation- dig in heels.

Avoiding (ignore)

Unassertive and uncooperative. Ignore conflict, hope it goes away. Likely to grow apart because the partner doesn’t know who you are, what you stand for, what you want.

Accommodating (give all)

Unassertive and cooperative. Don’t advance your own views. Try to understand the other person and comply to what they want. Often happens when someone is afraid of losing the relationship.

Compromising (give some)

Somewhat assertive and cooperative. Solution moderately but not optimally - benefits both. Both people get some needs met, but not all.

Collaborating (win/win)

Assertive and cooperative. Concerned with both own and partner’s needs. Find the optimum solution. Easier if more equal in power and high trust. Accentuates trust and commitment couples feel.