Collaborate / Problem Solve is a conflict resolution technique that involves treating the conflict as a mutual problem to be solved together. The parties work to identify the underlying needs and interests of everyone involved to find a creative solution that fully satisfies all parties. This approach is often referred to as a “win-win” scenario.
Key Aspects of Collaboration
- Win-Win Outcome – The goal is to find a solution where everyone’s needs are met and no one has to make a sacrifice.
- Focus on Interests, Not Positions – It moves beyond the stated “wants” (positions) to understand the “why” (interests) behind them.
- High Trust & Openness Required – This method requires a high degree of trust and open, honest communication among all parties.
- Time and Effort Intensive – It is the most time-consuming approach, as it requires in-depth discussion, analysis, and creative thinking.
- Builds Stronger Relationships – Successfully collaborating through conflict strengthens team cohesion and mutual respect.
The Conflict Resolution Spectrum
| Technique | Outcome | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Collaborate / Problem Solve | Win-Win | Finding a new, creative solution that satisfies everyone’s needs. |
| Compromise / Reconcile | Lose-Lose | Finding an acceptable middle ground through mutual sacrifice. |
| Smooth / Accommodate | Lose-Win | Yielding to the other party’s position to maintain harmony. |
| Force / Direct | Win-Lose | Pushing one’s own viewpoint at the expense of others. |
| Withdraw / Avoid | Lose-Lose | Ignoring or postponing the conflict, leading to no resolution. |
Example Scenarios
Design Disagreement
The engineering team wants to use a database they are familiar with for performance reasons (their interest is stability and speed). The product team wants to use a newer database because it has a feature that will enable faster future development (their interest is long-term agility). After a collaborative session, they problem-solve and discover a third database option that is both high-performing and has the desired feature, satisfying both parties’ underlying interests completely.
Scheduling Conflict
The marketing team needs the final product prototype by May 1st to prepare for a major trade show. The development team says they cannot finish before May 15th without risking quality. Instead of compromising, they collaborate. The marketing team clarifies they only need the user-facing features for the demo. The development team realizes they can create a stable, demo-specific version by May 1st while continuing to work on the back-end features for the full release on May 15th. Both teams get what they need.
Why This Technique Matters
- Produces the Most Durable Solutions – By addressing the root interests, it resolves the conflict permanently rather than just temporarily.
- Strengthens Team Cohesion – The process of working together to find a mutual solution builds trust and reinforces a team-first mentality.
- Drives Innovation – It encourages creative thinking and can lead to new and better solutions that weren’t initially considered.
- Ideal for Critical Issues – It is the best approach for complex, high-stakes conflicts where a subpar solution (like a compromise) could have significant negative consequences.
See also: Conflict Resolution, Negotiation, Reconcile, Win-Win Scenario, Interest-Based Negotiation.