Which strategy involves pretending to be okay and smoothing tensions?

• A. Compromising
• B. Smoothing
• C. Avoiding
• D. Collaborating

Answer: (B)

In conflict management, smoothing is a cooperative approach that prioritizes maintaining relationships and harmony over fully resolving the issue. It involves downplaying differences and acting as if everything is fine to reduce tension, even if the underlying problem isn’t addressed. This can be useful when the relationship matters more than the specific outcome, or when the issue is minor and escalating would cause more harm than good. However, it can leave important concerns unaddressed and may allow problems to fester if used too often.

This is different from compromising, which involves both sides giving up something to reach a halfway solution; avoiding, which is withdrawing from the conflict; and collaborating, which is working together to find a win-win solution that satisfies all parties.