The manager is conducting an informal negotiation between two staff members who have had ongoing difficulty working together peacefully.Most recently,there was an argument about who would be scheduled first for lunch each day.At this stage of the informal negotiation,the manager is focusing on managing the emotions and setting the ground rules.Which stage does this demonstrate?

A) Setting the stage
B) Conducting the negotiation
C) Making offers and counteroffers
D) Agreeing on resolution of the conflict

The manager has begun conducting informal negotiation.This includes managing the emotions,setting ground rules,and clarifying the problem.The first step of conflict resolution is introspective and is similar to data gathering.The negotiator thinks,"What am I trying to achieve? What problems am I likely to encounter?" The next step,setting the stage,may involve confronting the two parties with their behavior toward one another and making direct statements designed to open communication and challenge them to seek resolution of the situation.After conducting the negotiation,the parties move to making offers and counteroffers,and then to agreeing on the resolution of the conflict.