Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI)

The TKI, designed by Kenneth W. Thomas, PhD and Ralph H. Kilmann, PhD and first published in 1974, is an instrument, which assesses a person’s behavior pertaining to conflict situations. This self-directed questionnaire determines the person’s primary and alternative styles of handling conflict based on five types of conflict behavior: competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding, and accommodating. There is no right or wrong type of behavior--the TKI describes each behavior and explains how each type can be most beneficial (or harmful) in certain situations. It also allows the persons in conflict to understand how they each handle conflict differently, and how they may decrease their conflict and move to outcomes that are satisfactory for both parties by becoming aware of these differences in conflict behavior. The TKI is very effective in leadership, team building, and conflict resolution situations.

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Team Conflict Activity INSTRUCTIONS:

How do you usually respond to such situations where your goals or opinions conflict with those of others? On this page are several pairs of statements describing possible behavioral responses. For each pair, please select the statement, which is most characteristic of your own behavior in conflict situations. In some cases, neither the "A" nor the "B" statement may be very typical of your behavior, but in these cases select the response that you would be more likely to use.


A. There are times when I let others take responsibility for solving the problem.
B. Rather than negotiate the things upon which we disagree, I try to stress those things upon which we agree.

A. I try to find a compromise solution.
B. I attempt to deal with all of his/her and my concerns.

A. I am usually firm in pursuing my goals.
B. I might try to soothe the other's feelings and preserve the relationship.

A. I try to find a compromise solution.
B. I sometimes sacrifice my own wishes for the wishes of the other person.

A. I consistently seek the other's help in working out a solution.
B. I try to do what is necessary to avoid useless tensions.

A. I try to avoid creating unpleasantness for myself.
B. I try to win my position.

A. I try to postpone the issue until I have had sometime to think it over.
B. I give up some points in exchange for others.

A. I am usually firm in pursuing my goals.
B. I attempt to get all concerns and issues immediately out in the open.

A. I feel that differences are not always worth worrying about.
B. I make some effort to get my way.

A. I am firm in pursuing my goals.
B. I try to find a compromise solution.

A. I attempt to get all concerns and issues immediately out in the open.
B. I might try to soothe the other's feelings and preserve our relationship.

A. I sometimes avoid taking positions which could create controversy.
B. I press to get my points made.

A. I propose a middle ground.
B. I will let the other person have some of his/her positions if he/she lets me have some of mine.

A. I tell the other person my ideas and ask for his/hers.
B. I try to show the other person the logic and benefits of my position.

A. I might try to soothe the other's feelings and preserve our relationship.
B. I try to do what is necessary to avoid tensions.

A. I try not to hurt the other's feelings.
B. I try to convince the other person of the merits of my position.

A. I am usually firm in pursuing my goals.
B. I try to do what is necessary to avoid useless tensions.

A. If it makes other people happy, I might let them maintain their views.
B. I will let other people have some of their position if they let me have some of mine.

A. I attempt to get all concerns and issues immediately out in the open.
B. I try to postpone the issue until I have had some time to think it over.

A. I attempt to immediately work through our differences.
B. I try to find a fair combination of gains and losses for both of us.

A. In approaching negotiations, I try to be considerate of the other's person's wishes.
B. I always lean towards a direct discussion of the problem.

A. I try to find a position that is an intermediary between his/hers and mine.
B. I assert my wishes.

A. I am very often concerned with satisfying all our wishes.
B. There are times when I let others take responsibility for solving the problem.

A. If the other person's position seems very important to him/her, I would try to meet his/her wishes.
B. I try to get the other person to settle for a compromise.

A. I try to show the other person the logic and benefits of my position.
B. In approaching negotiations, I try to be considerate of the other's person's wishes.

A. I propose a middle ground.
B. I am nearly always concerned with satisfying all our wishes.

A. I sometimes avoid taking positions which could create controversy.
B. If it makes other people happy, I might let them maintain their views.

A. I am usually firm in pursuing my goals.
B. I usually seek the other's help in working out a solution.

A. I propose a middle ground.
B. I feel the differences are not always worth worrying about.

A. I try not to hurt other's feelings.
B. I always share the problem with the other person so that we can work it out.

Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI)

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