Smooth / Accommodate is a conflict resolution technique where one party yields to the other party’s position. The focus is on preserving the relationship and maintaining harmony over winning the argument. This approach is often referred to as a “lose-win” scenario, where one person makes a concession (the loss) for the other’s benefit (the win).
Key Aspects of Smoothing
- Lose-Win Outcome – One party gives in to the other.
- Emphasis on Agreement – It de-emphasizes the points of difference and highlights the areas of agreement.
- Relationship Focused – The primary goal is to maintain a positive working relationship, even at the expense of one’s own position.
- Strategic Concession – Can be used strategically when the issue is much more important to the other party or when you realize you are wrong.
- Can Build Social Credits – Accommodating on a minor issue can build goodwill that can be drawn upon for more critical issues later.
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
Minor Feature Disagreement
A UX designer and a developer disagree on the color of a button. The developer feels strongly about it, but the designer realizes the issue is minor and not critical to the user experience. The designer accommodates the developer’s preference to maintain a good working relationship and move forward quickly.
Stakeholder Request
A key stakeholder requests a last-minute change to a report’s format. The project manager knows this will add a few hours of work but also knows that keeping this stakeholder happy is critical for the project’s overall success. The PM accommodates the request.
Team Member Preference
Two team members are assigned to a task they both dislike. One member expresses extreme aversion to it. The other, finding it only mildly unpleasant, agrees to take on the task to be a good team player, saying, “Don’t worry about it, I’ll handle this one.”
Why This Technique Matters
- Preserves Relationships – It is highly effective at de-escalating tension and preserving harmony within the team.
- Effective for Trivial Issues – It’s a quick and easy way to resolve minor conflicts without wasting time.
- Can Be a Strategic Choice – A project manager might accommodate a functional manager on a small issue to gain their support for a much larger issue later.
- Risk of Being Exploited – Overuse of this technique can lead to a perception of weakness, and others may take advantage of the accommodating party’s willingness to concede.
See also: Conflict Resolution, Emotional Intelligence, Stakeholder Management, Negotiation.