In the strategic phase of the conflict management life cycle, which activity positions the organization in anticipation of a negative action?

• A. Conflict positioning
• B. Crisis management
• C. Crisis planning
• D. Risk communication

Answer: (A)

In this strategic phase, the aim is to shape how the organization is perceived before any negative action occurs. Conflict positioning is about setting the narrative and relationships in advance—proactively messaging, building credibility with key stakeholders, and aligning actions with values so that, if a dispute or attack arises, the audience is more inclined to view the organization favorably. It’s about placing the organization in a favorable position ahead of time rather than simply reacting when trouble hits.

Crisis management comes into play once a crisis is unfolding and you’re managing the response in real time. Crisis planning is about developing the procedures and roles for such crises before they occur, but not specifically about shaping the external perception in anticipation of conflict. Risk communication focuses on informing audiences about risks and may be part of broader strategy, but it’s not the activity whose primary goal is pre-emptive positioning of the organization ahead of a negative action.