Conflict, Compromise, and a Cookie 2-minute read Written by Mark Fitzsimmons, President A couple of weeks ago, I went out for dim sum with my family and got a timely piece of advice from my fortune cookie: “Recognize when it is advisable to compromise.” Compromising involves both sides giving something up. At work, when important decisions are on the table, compromise isn’t always the first choice. However, there are moments when it’s the most practical and efficient path forward. There are also cases where the stakes are too high for compromise to be acceptable, making it impossible to reach a middle ground. In these situations, other styles, such as collaboration or competing may be necessary. Advantages of Compromising: Pragmatic: Can leads to a reasonable solution without unnecessary delays. Efficient: Helps reach a conclusion quickly. Fairness: Strives to balance the benefits and losses for both parties. Relationship Preservation: Helps reduce tensions by finding common ground. Disadvantages of Compromising: Unresolved Issues: It can leave frustrations that may reappear later. Lower Quality Solutions: Compromise sometimes produces less effective outcomes than a thorough collaborative approach. Superficial Understanding: Agreements may oversimplify the issues, failing to address deeper concerns. If you’re working with teams, the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI®) quickly assesses preferred styles and is useful for demonstrating how each approach can be useful for dealing with conflict in certain situations. This allows people to appreciate the strength of their own conflict styles and learn the value of others. For an in depth look, check out our recent webinar: Navigating Hard Conversations with Manager Peers and Direct Reports: Leveraging the TKI.
