Answer:
In the scenario described, Stephanie was confronted by a colleague who accused her of taking credit for work that was not hers. Stephanie's initial response was defensive, which only escalated the conflict. Here is some advice on how Stephanie could have responded to the conflict in a more productive way:
1. Listen actively: Stephanie could have listened to her colleague's concerns and asked for more information about what specifically was not accurate in her claims. This would have shown that she was willing to understand her colleague's perspective and would have given her a chance to clarify any misunderstandings.
2. Acknowledge the other person's feelings: Stephanie could have acknowledged her colleague's feelings by saying something like, "I understand that you feel frustrated, and I'm sorry if my actions have caused you to feel that way." This would have helped to validate her colleague's emotions and would have helped to lower the intensity of the conflict.
3. Be open and transparent: Stephanie could have been open and honest about her role in the project and given credit to her colleague where credit was due. This would have shown that she was willing to work collaboratively and would have helped to build trust and respect between herself and her colleague.
By responding in this way, Stephanie would have been able to de-escalate the conflict and work towards a healthier solution. Instead of becoming defensive and escalating the conflict, she would have shown that she was willing to listen, understand, and work collaboratively towards a solution. This would have helped to build healthier relationships and a more positive work environment.