What conflict resolution strategy would best suit a situation where two team members have conflicting views on project timelines and need to agree on a middle ground?

In a scenario where two team members have differing views on project timelines and must find a way to come to an agreement, choosing a compromise is particularly effective. This strategy focuses on finding a middle ground where both parties can feel that their concerns are acknowledged, allowing them to adjust their original positions somewhat in order to arrive at an acceptable resolution.

Compromise works well in this situation because it enables both team members to contribute to the solution, helping them to maintain a sense of ownership over their input while fostering a collaborative team environment. This approach can also help to preserve relationships, as it demonstrates a willingness to find commonality despite disagreements.

The other strategies may not address the need for mutual agreement as effectively. For instance, avoiding the conflict could leave the issues unresolved, while forcing one viewpoint might breed resentment and hinder future collaboration. Collaboration is a strong strategy but may require more extensive discussions and time that might not be suitable if the parties are looking for a quick resolution. Hence, compromise serves as the most balanced and pragmatic approach for this specific situation.