Conflict Style Inventory

How the Conflict Style Inventory works

This revised and improved edition includes new scales to measure a team's approach to conflict as well as an individual's approach. The instrument consists of 10 vignettes which describe realistic workplace conflicts. For each example, participants are presented with five possible responses to the conflict, and are instructed to indicate which ones most closely describe how they would actually deal with the situation. The results give respondents an accurate assessment and understanding of their own natural approaches to dealing with conflict, and provide a starting point for developing the skills necessary to begin managing conflict constructively.

Various researches have identified five primary strategies for dealing with behavioural conflict

The CSI is based on more than 30 years of behavioural science research into the dynamics of conflict. Although different authors use somewhat different items to describe the five strategies, the nature of each is actually quite clear.

• Avoiding sometimes also called 'withdrawing' means to leave the conflict situation so as to avoid the conflict
• Smoothing involves trying to cover up and pretend that everything is really calm.
• Bargaining also referred to as 'compromising' or 'splitting the difference'
• Forcing involves fighting a battle so that one party becomes the clear winner and the other the loser
• Problem solving is a more accurate description of a strategy often referred to as 'confronting.'

What to order: You will need 1 Self Assessment per participant. For maximum benefit, purchase 1 Facilitator Guide per trainer.  

The Conflict Style Inventory Trainer’s Guide is based in concept on more than 30 years of behavioural science research on the dynamics of conflict. Provides explanations of each of the 10 vignettes and discussion of typical responses to each. It also contains workshop designs, a lecturette, overhead transparency masters, norms and references.