While attention to the different strategies for managing overt conflict in organizations is critical, this is not sufficient. Moreover, as Gamson and Modigliani’s (1963) theory makes explicit, focusing directly on the disagreements is only one approach to conflict management. A second approach, which may be just as important, focuses on the strength and the quality of the integrative bonds and the actions that can be taken to strengthen these bonds and the relationships on a whole. To help conceptualize this latter approach to conflict management, Gamson (1998) has used the metaphor of a rubber band to highlight that whether or not a rubber band breaks depends only in part on how far it is stretched. Th e other contributing factor is the strength of the band.