Your Team’s Conflict Style From Introduction to Conflict and Teams, Ken and Gail Thomas, 2004 Competitor Team Decision Making: Imposed by the formal leader or reached through argument or debate; speakers make their strongest case to see whose position prevails. Behaviors: Asserting and defending, advocacy and challenge, point/counterpoint debate. Atmosphere: intense and edgy, candid, sometimes loud and defensive; speakers often put on the spot, likely to be challenged by opposing positions. Collaborator Team Decision Making: By consensus, using dialog or discussion to seek creative decisions that integrate the insights and needs of teammates. Behaviors: building on the comments of others; listening, suggesting possible solutions, asking for others’ reactions. Atmosphere: explanatory and open- minded; respectful toward others’ contributions and insights; teammates regarded as resources in reaching good decisions. High Compromiser Team Decision Making: Negotiation to find a workable, acceptable middle-ground settlement. Behaviors: proposals and counter- proposals that move toward agreement, often splitting the difference. Atmosphere: pragmatic and reasonable, with moderate expectations; willing to Give and take to make it work. Assertiveness Avoider Team Decision Making: screening out or postponing issues that are unnecessary or unsafe – not wanting to open a “can of worms.” Behaviors: urging caution, changing the topic, using humor or small talk to keep things light, tabling issues. Atmosphere: cautious about involvement In time-consuming or contentious issues; often easy going – “it’s not worth getting excited over.” Accommodator Team Decision Making: supporting and protecting teammates’ needs, relationships often take priority over task issues or personal concerns. Behaviors: caretaking “what do you need?”); gate keeping (“we haven’t heard from you yet”); agreeing, appreciating Others’ contributions, offering help. Atmosphere: pleasant, friendly, generous, Comfortable, safe; enjoying each other’s company’; often idealistic about serving or helping others. Low Low High Cooperativeness

Team Discussion Read the descriptions on the previous page and underline any phrases that seem to fit your team especially well. What phrases did people underline? Why? What style(s) does your team tend to use most often? What are some of the strengths/weaknesses of that style? In what types of situations is that style most/less effective within your team? When would other styles be more effective within your team meetings/discussions? How can the team be more purposeful when selecting the appropriate conflict style to use in a given situation?