Compromise / Reconcile is a conflict resolution technique where the involved parties find a middle ground by each making a sacrifice. The goal is to reach an agreement that provides partial satisfaction to everyone, but fully satisfies no one. This approach is often referred to as a “lose-lose” scenario because all parties give up something from their original position.
Key Aspects of Compromise
- Partial Satisfaction – Aims for an acceptable, not an ideal, solution.
- Splitting the Difference – The focus is on finding a midpoint between two opposing views.
- Speed and Expediency – It is often faster than collaboration because it avoids a deep dive into the underlying interests of the conflict.
- Temporary or Partial Resolution – It can be used to resolve an issue for now, even if the root cause isn’t fully addressed.
- Lose-Lose Outcome – Every party loses something, which is the defining characteristic of this technique.
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
Budget Disagreement
The Marketing team wants a 30,000. They compromise at $40,000. Marketing doesn’t get all the funds it wanted (a loss), and Finance has to approve more than it planned (a loss).
Scheduling Conflict
A developer wants to release a new feature on Friday to meet a deadline, but the QA tester insists on a 3-day testing period, which would push the release to Monday. They compromise by doing a condensed 1.5-day testing period for a Thursday release. The developer loses the full development time, and the tester loses their full testing cycle.
Resource Allocation
Two project managers need the same graphic designer for 40 hours next week. They compromise by splitting the designer’s time, giving 20 hours to each project. Both projects now proceed at a slower pace than originally planned.
Why This Technique Matters
- Provides a Quick Resolution – It is a practical and fast way to move past a deadlock when time is a critical factor.
- Maintains Relationships – Can be a fair and balanced approach when the issue is not critical enough to warrant a longer, more involved resolution process.
- Useful for Low-Stakes Issues – It works well when the parties have equal power and the outcome is not critical to the project’s success.
- Risk of Future Conflict – Because no party is fully satisfied, the underlying conflict may resurface if the root cause is not addressed.
See also: Conflict Resolution, Negotiation, Problem Solve, Stakeholder Management.