Types of Conflict Resolution

Compromise

When opposing sides give something up in order to accomplish a mutual goal

Discussion

Discuss in your groups ways you compromise in your daily life. What did you have to give up? What did you gain?

Debate

When opposing parties take sides of an issue and argue using evidence to persuade their opponents

Negotiation

When one side brings in a third party to bargain for the benefit of one or both parties

Examples:

A buyer and a salesman are negotiating a price for a car.

A wife is negotiating with her husband over use of finances.

A president is negotiating with another country's leader to remove missile silos that threaten the security of the nation.

Consensus

When a general agreement is made by all parties after all opinions of the group are heard

Mediation

When a third party guides the arguing parties to a solution

Two nations, on the verge of war after failed negotiations, agree to peace-talks. Neither side trusts the other side, so they ask for the help of a neutral representative to act as mediator for their talks. Through the mediator, both stake-holding countries are able to work out an agreement and avoid war.

A buyer purchases a used car from a seller. The car breaks down soon after. The buyer demands his money back. The seller accuses the buyer of damaging the car himself. Instead of dealing with the matter in court, which can be both costly and time-consuming for both parties, they instead agree to hire a mediator and work out their situation out of court.

A couple decide to get a divorce, but argue over who gets what. Instead of waging legal war against each other, they decide to work out their agreement with a divorce mediator. The mediator uncovers what the needs and interests are for both the husband and wife as well as separating the emotions from the problems at hand.

Arbitration

When a third party makes the decision for the arguing parties based on evidence

Two employees are having issues with each other. They take these issues to the boss. The boss hears both sides and then decides to fire one of the employees.

Two siblings are having a fight and the mother gets involved. The mother hears what they have to say, and of course both siblings are pointing fingers at the other side. The mother decides to ground them both.

Discussion

If two students fight a lot at school who might serve as a mediator?

Who would serve as an arbitrator?

Differences

Negotiate: to discuss the terms of an arrangement; to confer with another in order to come to terms or reach an agreement.

Compromise: a settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions, or the result of such a settlement.

The dictionary definition of consensus is “general agreement or concord; harmony”, while the dictionary defines compromise as “a settlement of differences by mutual concessions”. 

We are all familiar with compromise in decisions made by our project teams.  We all give up some of what we want to make room for some of what the others want.  On a good day, everyone is only slightly unhappy.

Consensus, on the other hand, is a group decision supported by all members based on:A thorough understanding of all relevant

informationParticipation by all membersAn understanding of different perspectives and

needsCreative efforts to accommodate different needsA willingness to raise, understand and resolve

disagreements

Consensus is the highest level agreement we can all live with.  Compromise is about giving things up.  Consensus is about getting the best of everyone’s ideas.  Consensus is about putting together all the different ideas to come up with something better than what we would have identified on our own.”

Debate: An organized discussion of opposing points.