CMA Blogs

Dive into our blog archives, authored by our in house experts! Scroll below to read their work and deepen your understanding of negotiation, influence, dispute resolution, relationship management, and beyond.

Browse our blog archives here:

What is collaborative style of conflict management and how to use it?


A conflict management style is simply the way we choose to approach any given conflict. The Thomas–Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) is a tool developed to measure an individual’s response to conflict situations. There are 5 conflict style modes. Compromising, Accommodating, Avoiding, Competing and Collaborating. The TKI uses two axes (influenced by the Mouton and Blake axes) […]

Most used conflict management interview questions and answers


Have you ever been asked interview questions on conflict resolution or interview questions on conflict management? How did you answer? Behavioural interview questions about conflict resolution are designed to test your responses to high stakes situations. Answers to conflict resolution interview questions give the interviewer insight into how you would likely respond to such a […]

Workplace Negotiations & How to Successfully Navigate Them


A large portion of our adult lives are spent at work. We’re often interacting with others. In many cases without realising we’re negotiating. We may be discussing salary increases with our manager, trying to reach agreement on project timelines with colleagues and/or negotiating contract terms with clients. These are all workplace negotiation examples. Want to […]

How to resolve conflict with clients


Client relationships can at times be the most challenging relationships to navigate. They rely upon constant communication, can change quickly and are embedded with high levels of expectation. Despite our best efforts, they don’t always go to plan. And without continual transparency can result in conflict. Conflict, in the course of a client relationship can […]

How to develop influencing skills


Some people seem to be born with it. An innate ability to persuade others with fervour and ease. Whereas others struggle to gain buy-in for their ideas or proposals. What the difference between these two types of people?  Why is it that one person can influence effectively, and another cannot? Is one’s ability to influence […]

7 Tips for Resolving Team Conflict


Chances are at some point in your life you’ve dealt with a disagreement with your coworkers. We all have different points of view, values, and perspectives which makes it nearly impossible to avoid workplace conflicts. These conflicts can cause all sorts of issues like loss of productivity, emotional turmoil, resentment, or an inability to come […]

How to Respond to Threats in a Negotiation


You know the feeling. It’s a combination of disappointment, frustration, and nerves. Your palms might feel sweaty, perhaps you can’t quite find the words to respond. Your counterpart, with whom you were casually negotiating mere minutes ago, has dropped a bomb. You’ve just been threatened in your negotiation. Cue the adrenaline. Your fight or flight […]

Covid-19 Update


Whether you’ve been asked to work remotely, or have had to cancel a face-to-face meeting, most Australian businesses have felt the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) in some way, shape or form. In times of change, it’s important for businesses to maintain strong communication, good working relationships and effective digital solutions that will help your team […]

3 common negotiation tricks – and how to manage them


You might be an ethical, well-intended negotiator who’s always aiming for win-win outcomes. But let’s not be naïve: not every person you encounter will have the same mindset. Sometimes, perhaps more often than you’d like, you’ll come up against underhanded negotiation tactics designed to knock you off balance and pressure you to accept less-than-perfect deals. […]