The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI)

TKI Thomas Kilmann Conflict Overview of the TKI

How do you handle conflict? The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) is the world’s best-selling instrument for understanding how different conflict-handling modes or styles affect personal and group dynamics and for learning how to select the most appropriate style for a given situation.

You read 30 pairs of statements and choose which of statement A or B is most typical of your behaviour.

More information

There are five conflict-handling modes based on two underlying dimensions: assertiveness and cooperativeness. Assertiveness is the degree to which you try to satisfy your own concerns. Cooperativeness is the degree to which you try to satisfy the other person’s concerns.

The 5 modes are:

  • Competing – this is high assertive and low cooperative. You try to satisfy your own concerns at the expense of the other person’s.
  • Collaborating – this is high assertive and high cooperative. When collaborating you work with the other person to find a solution that satisfies both peoples concerns.
  • Compromising – this is intermediate in both assertiveness and cooperativeness. You try to find an acceptable solution that is mutually acceptable and fulfils the needs of both parties at least partially. It differs from collaborating in that some needs may need to be sacrificed in order to have others met.
  • Avoiding – this is low assertive and low cooperative. The conflict is not addressed and therefore you do not address either the needs of yourself or the other person.
  • Accommodating – this is low assertive and high cooperative. It is the opposite of competing; it means neglecting your own concerns to satisfy those of another person.

Who should take the TKI?

If you would like to broaden your ways of dealing with conflict, to understand which approach you usually take, when it is useful and when others are more appropriate, then this is the assessment to take.

The TKI Report

The 10 page report describes the 5 different modes and provides you with a score on a 1 -12 scale. Your results are shown on a graph and compared against a norm group of 400 middle and senior managers in business and government organisations. The report then looks at the 5 different modes, explains how this mode is best used and then relates your score to the mode, identifying questions you might like to ask yourself.

See a sample report

What’s included and costs

  • Everything you need to take the assessment on line
  • Downloadable 10 page full colour report.
  • In depth PowerPoint presentation with audio commentary. To enable you to fully understand the implications and decide what to do next.
  • Optional Personal feedback discussion with Denise to answer any outstanding questions once you have watched the presentation. (additional charge).

To buy: £50

How do I buy it? What happens next?

  1. You make payment via paypal or using the worldpay secured server. You will promptly receive an e-mail with a link to the assessment and full instructions, including your user name and password.
  2. You complete the assessment on line in the comfort of your own home. Take 10-15 minutes to answer the questions. It’s that simple!
  3. All reports are personalised to reflect your responses – you will be sent a report which details your results.
  4. Usually within 2-12 hours your report will be sent to you as an Adobe PDF file, at weekends there could be a slight delay.
  5. You contact Denise to schedule the discussion.