Which of the four conflict modes is both highly assertive and highly cooperative?

The mode that is both highly assertive and highly cooperative is known as collaborating. In this approach, conflicting parties engage with one another to find a solution that satisfies the needs and concerns of all involved. This dual focus on assertiveness and cooperation means that participants communicate openly and work together to reach a consensus that addresses the interests of everyone in the conflict.

Collaborating is particularly effective in situations where maintaining relationships is essential, or where the conflict at hand is significant enough that both parties must feel heard and valued. This mode encourages creative problem solving and often leads to more sustainable outcomes as both sides are invested in the final resolution.

In contrast, the other conflict modes—avoiding, compromising, and accommodating—do not exhibit the same balance of assertiveness and cooperation. Avoiding sidesteps conflict entirely, compromising seeks a middle ground that may leave both parties unsatisfied, and accommodating typically prioritizes the needs of others over one’s own, which can lead to imbalances in the relationship.