Avoidance is a conflict resolution style that aims to reduce conflict by ignoring it, separating the conflicting parties, or avoiding it in some manner. This may involve removing team members from the project they are in conflict over, postponing deadlines, or reassigning people to different departments.

Avoidance can be effective if a cooling-off period is helpful or if more time is needed to consider the conflict. However, it should not be used as a substitute for proper resolution as putting off conflict indefinitely will lead to bigger conflicts in the future.

Pros: Giving people time to calm down can solve many issues, providing a needed perspective, and resolving some conflicts without intervention. Managers show trust in employees to handle conflicts.

Cons: Can make conflicts worse if used inappropriately, and managers may appear incompetent if they overuse avoidance.

Example: Eddie and Rose are working on a new project, but as the deadline approaches, they can’t agree on changes. The deadline is postponed and they are given time to work on other projects. This break and the extra time allow them to cool down and resume a more collaborative mindset.