Communication is another key ingredient to being successful in today's working world. It is extremely important to be able to communicate with others verbally, in writing, and via email correspondence.
Although communication is important, conflicts are inevitable and will occasionally arise in the workplace. It is just as important to know how to handle these conflicts and possess the ability to keep conflicts constructive and negotiations positive.
Please take a few minutes to take the following self-assessment. Read the instructions and rate yourself on each of the fifteen statements, based on the scale provided.
Also, have you ever experienced a conflict in any of your past or present jobs, how did you handle it? Based on what you know now, would you have handled it differently?
Conflict Management Style
Instructions
Think of how you behave in conflict situations in which your wishes differ from those of one or more other persons. In the space to the left of each of the following statements, write the number from the following scale that indicates how likely you are to respond that way in a conflict situation.
1 = very unlikely 2 = unlikely 3 = likely 4 = very likely
_____ 1. I am usually firm in pursuing my goals.
_____ 2. I try to win my position.
_____ 3. I give up some points in exchange for others.
_____ 4. I feel that differences are not always worth worrying about.
_____ 5. I try to find a position that is intermediate between the other person's and mine.
_____ 6. In approaching negotiations, I try to be considerate of the other person's wishes.
_____ 7. I try to show the logic and benefits of my positions.
_____ 8. I always lean toward a direct discussion of the problem.
_____ 9. I try to find a fair combination of gains and losses for both of us.
_____ 10. I attempt to immediately work through our differences immediately.
_____ 11. I try to avoid creating unpleasantness for myself.
_____ 12. I try to soothe the other person's feelings and preserve our relationships.
_____ 13. I attempt to get all concerns and issues immediately out in the open.
_____ 14. I sometimes avoid taking positions that would create controversy.
_____ 15. I try not to hurt others' feelings.
Scoring
Total your scores for items 1, 2, and 7; enter that score here [Competing = ____].
Total your scores for items 8, 10, and 13; enter that score here [Collaborating = ____]. Total your scores for items 3, 5, and 9; enter that score here [Compromising = ____]. Total your scores for items 4, 11, and 14; enter that score here [Avoiding = ____].
Total your scores for items 6, 12, and 15; enter that score here [Accommodating =____].