A nurse manager is scheduling a meeting to address a conflict between staff members and a client's family. In the meeting, staff and family members will identify common goals and express their concerns. Which of the following conflict resolution strategies is the nurse manager implementing?

Rationale: A. This option is incorrect because competition involves asserting one’s own position at the expense of others, often creating a win-lose situation. It does not promote mutual understanding or shared goals and is not appropriate for resolving conflicts collaboratively. B. This option is correct because collaboration involves bringing all parties together to identify common goals, share perspectives, and work toward a mutually beneficial solution. By facilitating a meeting where staff and family members can express concerns and jointly develop solutions, the nurse manager is using collaboration to resolve the conflict effectively. Collaboration emphasizes open communication, problem-solving, and respect for all viewpoints. C. This option is incorrect because accommodation involves yielding to the other party’s wishes while neglecting one’s own concerns. While it can reduce tension temporarily, it does not address underlying issues or ensure that the needs of all parties are met. D. This option is incorrect because smoothing (or smoothing over) focuses on minimizing differences and emphasizing agreements, often ignoring underlying concerns. While it may temporarily reduce conflict, it does not actively involve problem-solving or lead to sustainable resolution.