Which group role is useful when conflict is being avoided or when the group is having difficulty making a hard decision?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question restatement: Which group role is useful when conflict is being avoided or when the group is having difficulty making a hard decision?

Option a: Tension reliever. While someone who relieves tension can ease emotions temporarily, this role tends to soothe or distract rather than address underlying issues. In situations where conflict is being avoided or a tough decision must be made, simply reducing tension without tackling the core problem often prolongs stalemate. This makes tension reliever less suitable as a long-term facilitator in hard decisions.

Option b: Distractor. A distractor shifts attention away from the real issue, which can derail progress and prevent the group from confronting the root cause of the conflict or the heavy decision. This option is generally viewed as counterproductive in situations requiring resolution or decisive action.

Option c: Confronter. A confronter directly challenges ideas, assumptions, or processes that block progress. In contexts where conflict is being avoided or decisions are hard to reach, a confronter can push the group to address the real issues, surface differing viewpoints, and catalyze moves toward resolution or a clear choice. This role is particularly valuable when proactive confrontation is needed to move the group forward in a constructive way.

Option d: Peacemaker. A peacemaker seeks harmony and may downplay or gloss over disagreements to preserve group cohesion. While beneficial for reducing tension, a peacemaker can inadvertently keep important issues unresolved when a hard decision is required. In contrast to the scenario described, the peacemaker’s tendency to avoid conflict can hinder progress in tough decision-making.

Summary of why the correct answer fits: The scenario emphasizes avoiding conflict or facing a difficult decision, and the confronter’s function is to challenge stalemates and stimulate concrete discussion, making progress where others might shy away from confrontation or simply pacify the group without resolving the core issue.

Why the other options are not ideal: Tension reliever alleviates emotion but doesn’t force necessary engagement with the problem; Distractor diverts attention away from core issues; Peacemaker prioritizes harmony over resolution, which can prevent reaching a decisive outcome. Each of these roles can be helpful in different contexts, but they do not align as closely with the need to confront avoidance and drive through a hard decision as the confronter does.

Which group role is useful when conflict is being avoided or when the group is having difficulty making a hard decision?

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