A project team is centralized in a cubicle environment. Periodically, one member disturbs other team members by listening to loud music. Which of the following techniques would be BEST for the team…

Confronting, also called problem solving, tackles the conflict head-on by identifying and addressing the underlying issue - in this case, directly speaking to the team member about the disruptive behavior. It is the most effective long-term resolution technique because it eliminates the source of the problem rather than working around it.

Negotiating implies both parties give up something; the team should not have to accept any level of disruptive behavior as a compromise when the issue can be fully resolved.

Smoothing downplays the conflict and focuses on areas of agreement without resolving the actual disruptive behavior, providing only a temporary or surface-level fix.

Forcing imposes a solution using authority or power, which is heavy-handed for a situation that can and should be resolved through direct communication.