TKI Five Conflict-Handling Approaches or Styles

The five conflict-handling approaches or styles are competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding and accommodating. These approaches range from being more or less assertive and cooperative. 

Let's learn about each conflict-handing approach.

Competing

Competing is assertive and uncooperative, a power-oriented mode. Pursuing one’s own concerns at the other person’s expense, using whatever power seems appropriate to win his or her position. May be standing up for one’s rights or beliefs.

Collaborating

Collaborating is both assertive and cooperative. An individual will look to work with another to find a solution that satisfies the concerns of both. Creative problem-solving. Involves dialogue, full participation and listening.

Compromising 

Compromising is mid-way in assertiveness and cooperativeness. When compromising, an individual looks to find an expedient, mutually acceptable solution. Can serve as a “Band Aid.”

Avoiding

Avoiding is considered unassertive and uncooperative behavior where an individual pursues neither their own or the other party’s concerns and does not address the conflict. May be postponing, withdrawing from threat or diplomatically sidestepping.

Accommodating

Accommodating is unassertive and cooperative behavior where an individual neglects their own concerns to satisfy those of another. The opposite of competing and an element of self-sacrifice. May be obeying orders or selfless generosity.