Conflict Styles

When in conflict, people engage with each other with their words, tone of voice and actions. These behaviors - called conflict styles - in large part determine the outcome of the conflict. The way we behave when in conflict can lead to the conflict escalating, being suppressed, ignored or resolved, resulting in either positive or negative consequences. Conflict styles are often described as five basic styles - avoidance, competition, compromise, accommodation and collaboration.

• Avoidance - deciding not to engage in conflict



• Compromise - trying to find a middle position where all parties give a little to gain



• Collaboration - trying to find a solution where the needs of all parties are completely met



• Competition - conflict is seen as a win-lose situation and the will to win dominates



• Accommodation - appeasing the other side

These conflict styles are generally not consciously chosen, but emerge as actions that have been learned since childhood from everyday encounters, arguments or disagreements. We tend to use a style depending on the situation but research has shown that we all have an order of preference among the styles.

If you are interested in learning your conflict style preference, take the short self-assessment below, and get your Personal Conflict Profile.

My Personal Conflict Profile.