Which conflict management style emphasizes empathy over self-interest?

The style that emphasizes empathy over self-interest is accommodation. This conflict management approach focuses on understanding and addressing the needs and feelings of others, often prioritizing their concerns over one's own. When using this style, an individual seeks to maintain harmony and preserve relationships, even if it means making personal sacrifices or yielding to others' demands.

In accommodation, the emphasis is on showing care and support for others’ perspectives, which fosters a cooperative environment. This approach is particularly effective in situations where maintaining a good relationship is more valuable than winning the argument or achieving one’s own goals. It can be beneficial when the other party has greater power or when an issue is less significant to one party than the other, allowing for a constructive resolution to the conflict.

In contrast, other styles such as competition focus on one's own needs and interests, avoiding any form of empathy. Collaboration seeks a win-win scenario but does not prioritize empathy exclusively. Avoidance tends to sidestep the conflict altogether, lacking engagement with either party's interests. Therefore, accommodation distinctly highlights empathy in managing conflicts, facilitating understanding and cooperation.