Thomas-Killman Conflict Styles

By Diane Fornieri

Competing

Goal is to Win

High assertiveness

Low cooperation

• Stress position without consideration of opposing points of view
• Use when you need to state your position and stand your ground
• Lack of learning

Avoiding

Goal is to delay; no one wins

Low assertiveness

Low cooperation

• Use when you need to delay or reduce tensions for low priority/low power position when you have little control
• Allows issues to fester
• Breaks down communication

Compromising

Goal is to find middle ground

Moderate assertiveness

Moderate cooperation

• Use when issues of moderate importance when both parties are equally powerful and equally committed to opposing views
• Keeps people happy rather than resolving original conflict
• Loss of long-term goals

Collaborating

Goal is a win/win

High assertiveness

High cooperation

• Use in a team environment to merge perspectives and gain commitment for creative problem solving
• Could spend too much time on trivial matters
• Loss of innovation if not used enough

Accommodating

Goal is to yield

Low assertiveness

High cooperation

• Use when you want to show that you are reasonable and are willing to forego your own concerns
• Keeps the peace for issues of low importance
• Don’t be overly helpful; could cause you to carry a grudge

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