Joe, a project team member, was hired after a project was already underway, and he is the only team member who does not have an office. Ann, the project manager, is aware of Joe's resentment and the…

Avoiding means withdrawing from the conflict entirely and not addressing it at all; Ann is actively taking an action to address Joe's situation.

Confronting means directly addressing the root cause of the conflict to find a permanent solution, which Ann is not doing here.

Negotiating involves both parties making concessions through a structured discussion to reach a mutually acceptable outcome, which is not described here.

Smoothing involves one party giving in or making concessions to reduce visible conflict and restore harmony, even if the underlying issue is not fully resolved. Ann's decision to give Joe her office is a classic example of accommodation - she reduces the resentment by satisfying Joe's concern at personal cost to herself, without addressing why Joe lacked an office in the first place.