▸ WHAT IT REVEALSNavigating ambiguity, upward communication, political savvy.▸ GOOD ANSWER LOOKS LIKEClarifies with both, documents the conflict, escalates for alignment rather than choosing.▸ RED FLAGSPicks one without flagging the conflict. Freezes. Or plays politics.▸ FOLLOW-UP PROBEHow do you avoid that situation in the first place?