Which conflict resolution style involves one party winning and the other losing?

• A. Compromising
• B. Competing
• C. Cooperating/accommodating
• D. Smoothing

Answer: (B)

Win-lose conflict resolution is being tested here. In this approach, one party pursues its own goals aggressively and decisively, while giving little to no concern for the other party’s outcomes. The emphasis is on winning rather than finding a mutual solution, and assertiveness and use of power often drive the outcome. Quick, decisive action is a strength when immediate, safety-critical decisions are needed, but it can damage relationships and trust if used too often or inappropriately. In a healthcare leadership context, this might look like a manager enforcing a policy or allocating scarce resources in a way that satisfies the top priority without negotiating with others.

Other styles aim for different outcomes: compromising seeks a middle ground where both sides give up something; cooperating/accommodating emphasizes the other party’s needs to preserve relationships, sometimes at the expense of one’s own goals; smoothing downplays differences to maintain harmony, which can gloss over underlying issues rather than resolving them.