Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI®)

Understanding conflict resolution styles

The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI®) is the world’s best-selling conflict management tool because it helps trainers, managers, and other professionals conduct productive one-on-one and group discussions about conflict. In a recent survey, 79% of customers consider the TKI tool’s conflict management applications to be the most valuable to their organization. The instrument helps people understand how using different conflict management styles affects interpersonal and group dynamics, empowering them to choose the best approach for any situation. 

Manage the impact of workplace conflict

The TKI assessment provides insight into an individual’s typical response to conflict situations using one or more of five conflict-handling modes, or styles: competing, accommodating, avoiding, collaborating, and compromising. These modes reflect varying levels of assertiveness and cooperation. By identifying alternative conflict resolution styles and how and when to use them most effectively, the TKI assessment helps people reframe and defuse conflict, creating more productive outcomes.

How to Help Your Employees Effectively Manage Conflict

Conflict management that resonates


The TKI assessment supports:

The TKI assessment is easy to use and doesn’t require certification. It can be administered alongside the MBTI® assessment for deeper insights into personality and conflict management.

Avoiding Avoiding Unassertive and uncooperative behavior where an individual pursues neither their own or the other party’s concerns and does not address the conflict. Accommodating Accommodating Unassertive and cooperative behavior where an individual neglects their own concerns to satisfy those of another. The opposite of competing. Competing Competing Assertive and uncooperative behavior where an individual looks to satisfy their own concerns to win a position, potentially at others’ expense. Collaborating Collaborating Assertive and cooperative behavior where an individual will look to work with another to find a solution that satisfies the concerns of both. Compromising Compromising Mid-way in assertiveness and cooperativeness. When compromising, an individual looks to find an expedient, mutually acceptable solution. U ncooper a tive Cooper a tive Cooperativeness Assertiveness Unassertive Assertive

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What our customers are saying

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Developing effective conflict management as a core competency can be accomplished easily with the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument and can generate an immediate and measurable return on investment.

— Dr. Randall Wade, Business Technology Chair, Rogue Community College

We use the TKI® to help individuals and team engage in healthy conflict. We tend to be a ‘nice’ organization and want to help people understand the benefit in good conflict. The TKI has helped our people to ‘lean in’ to conflict to gain better understanding expand perspective and create quicker paths to business results.

Maureen Talley, Organizational Development Consultant, United States Cellular Corporation

We would recommend the TKI® Tool because it is easy to use. People attending see how it applies on the job (almost immediately).

Ana Hanna, Director, Talent Management and Organizational Development, Buckeye Pipe Line Company

I’d recommend the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument® because it’s simple, intuitive and provides instant and often insightful feedback into conflict styles as well as the impact of one’s own conflict style on others.

Patrick Dailey, HR Consultant, Celanese Corporation

The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument® is a great tool to use in training and development with our members. It is simple and easy to understand, and integrates well when using in conjunction with MBTI® assessment.

John Torres, Director, Leadership Development, American Farm Bureau Federation

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