Personal Conflict Styles

The five conflict styles identified by the work of Kenneth Thomas and Ralph Kilmann:

• Competition – fully assertive without cooperation
• Accommodation – fully cooperative and unassertive
• Avoidance – neither cooperative or assertive; a withdrawal
• Compromise – a blend of assertiveness and cooperation, seeking to expedite solutions
• Collaboration – a blend of assertiveness and cooperation, seeking ideal solutions

People's possible instinctive reactions to conflict:

• They may dislike conflict and seek to protect relationships.
• They may relish conflict as means of mutually reaching goals.
• They may ignore goals to nurture relationships.
• They may not believe themselves capable of handling conflict and withdraw.
• They may value goals more than relationships.

Overview/Description

Understanding the five styles identified by Kenneth Thomas and Ralph Kilmann is useful for navigating conflict. This impact explores these five conflict styles.

Target Audience

Professionals in non-managerial roles who wish to improve their ability to effectively manage or deal with conflict.