Conflict Style Inventory: Self-Assessment

I avoid being “put on the spot”; I try to keep conflicts to myself. → 1 

I use my influence to get my ideas accepted. → 3 

I usually try to “split the difference” in order to solve an issue. → 4 

I generally try to satisfy the other’s needs. → 4 

I try to investigate an issue to find a solution acceptable to both of us. → 5 

I usually avoid open discussion of my differences with the other. → 3 

I use my authority to make a decision in my favor. → 1 

I try to find a middle course to resolve an impasse. → 4 

I usually accommodate the other’s wishes. → 4 

I try to integrate my ideas with those of others to come up with a joint decision. → 5 

I try to stay away from disagreements with others. → 5 

I use my expertise to make decisions that favor me. → 1 

I propose a middle ground for breaking deadlocks. → 3 

I give in to the wishes of others. → 4 

I try to work with others to find solutions that satisfy both our expectations. → 5 

I try to keep my disagreements to myself in order to avoid hard feelings. → 5 

I generally pursue my side of an issue. → 3 

I negotiate with others in order to reach a compromise. → 3 

I often go with other’s suggestions. → 4 

I exchange accurate information with others so we can solve a problem together. → 3 

I try to avoid unpleasant exchanges with others. → 2 

I sometimes use my power to win. → 2 

I use “give-and-take” so that a compromise can be reached. → 4 

I try to satisfy other’s expectations. 4 

I try to bring all our concerns out in the open so that the issues can be resolved. → 3 

Scoring 

	Avoidance	Competition	Compromise	Accommodation	Collaboration
	1. 1	2. 3	3. 4	4. 4	5. 5
	6. 3	7. 1	8. 4	9. 4	10. 5
	11. 5	12. 1	13. 3	14. 4	15. 5
	16. 5	17. 3	18. 3	19. 4	20. 3
	21. 2	22. 2	23. 4	24. 4	25. 3
Total	16	10	18	20	21

Discussion 

Every individual has his/her way of dealing with conflict. The methods that we usually use depends on numerous variables like our personality, environment, our basic underlying temperature, and our position in our professional career. However, there are five techniques of managing conflicts. These include; avoidance, competition, compromise, accommodation, and collaboration. Out of these five conflict management techniques, none is superior in and of itself. In this section, I will discuss what my style of conflict management technique means for me and my professional career. The effectiveness of the methods used depends mainly on the context in which they are used. 

As seen in my assessment, I scored high on collaboration (21). This means that I usually attempt to work with others to find a solution that meets every individual’s concern. Through this, the individual I’m conflicting with, and I can both have whatever we want, as well as, minimize our negative feelings. In my professional career, collaboration helps me establish long-term relationships and reasonable outcome. 

I scored low on the avoidance style (16). This means that I often tend to be uncooperative and unassertive while diplomatically withdrawing from a situation that is threatening. However, I usually use avoidance style when I have a great concern about the outcome, or I find it safer to postpone dealing with the situation. For instance, at my workplace, I have a conflict with a fellow worker about his ethics of using FaceTime, but, I don’t have a great concern about it. 

Compared to the avoidance style, I scooped low in the competition style (10). This means that I am not uncooperative nor assertive in pursuing my concerns at the expense of the individual I have a conflict with. Thus, I usually care about the relationship, not the outcome. I scooped high in collaborating style, and this means that I have an element of self-sacrifice when accommodating to please the other party. I use this when I don’t care about the outcome, and I want to keep the relationship. 

I scored high on compromising style (18). Thus, it means that I usually aim to find a mutually acceptable solution that satisfies both me and the individual am conflicting with. This also means that I am typically cooperative and too assertive in finding a solution to the conflict. I use this style when I am losing time and want to do other meaningful or beneficial things, and the outcome is not crucial.