Final answer:
Overusing compromise in conflict management leads to both sides giving something up, which can result in neither fully achieving their goals, weakening their positions, and potentially undermining trust and long-term objectives. Option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
A potential downside of overusing the compromising style of conflict management is that each side has to give something up. This means that in the effort to reach an agreement, parties may both lose part of what they initially sought to achieve.
While each side might receive part of the desired outcome, they also face the risk of not fully satisfying their initial goals or needs. This might lead to a perception of 'selling out', or even weaken a party's position in future negotiations. Furthermore, overuse of compromise can lead to important issues being repeatedly unresolved, as parties may continuously settle for less than what is needed, potentially undermining trust and long-term objectives.