Page 346 - Effective group discussion theory and practice by Adams, Katherine H. Brilhart, John K. Galanes, Gloria J

Tools for Assessing and Evaluating Groups 329

TABLE 12.4 Conflict Management Style Orientation Scale

Instructions: Read each statement below and circle the response that you believe best reflects your position
regarding that statement. Add the score for each statement according to the instructions at the bottom of the
self-assessment.
Statement Scale
1. If someone disagrees with me, I vigorously defend my side of the issue. Rarely 1 2 3 4 5 Always
2. I go along with suggestions from co-workers, even if I don’t agree with them. Rarely 1 2 3 4 5 Always
3. I give and take so that a compromise can be reached. Rarely 1 2 3 4 5 Always
4. I keep my opinions to myself rather than openly disagree with people. Rarely 1 2 3 4 5 Always
5. In disagreements or negotiations, I try to find the best possible solution for
both sides by sharing information. Rarely 1 2 3 4 5 Always
6. I try to reach a middle ground in disputes with other people. Rarely 1 2 3 4 5 Always
7. I accommodate the wishes of people who have different points of view than
my own. Rarely 1 2 3 4 5 Always
8. I avoid openly debating issues where there is disagreement. Rarely 1 2 3 4 5 Always
9. In negotiations, I hold on to my position rather than give in. Rarely 1 2 3 4 5 Always
10. I try to solve conflicts by finding solutions that benefit both me and the
other person. Rarely 1 2 3 4 5 Always
11. I let co-workers have their way rather than jeopardize our relationship. Rarely 1 2 3 4 5 Always
12. I try to win my position in a discussion. Rarely 1 2 3 4 5 Always
13. I like to investigate conflicts with co-workers so that we can discover
solutions that benefit both of us. Rarely 1 2 3 4 5 Always
14. I believe that it is not worth the time and trouble to discuss my differences
of opinion with other people. Rarely 1 2 3 4 5 Always
15. To reach an agreement, I give up some things in exchange for others. Rarely 1 2 3 4 5 Always

Scoring: To determine your preference for a particular style, total your score for each item as shown below:
Total:
Avoiding: 4, 8, 14 ___________
Accommodating: 2, 7, 11 ___________
Competing: 1, 9, 12 ___________
Compromising: 3, 6, 15 ___________
Collaborating: 5, 10, 13 ___________
Source: Adapted from items in M. A. Rahim, “A Measure of Styles of Handling Interpersonal Conflict,” Academy of Management
Journal, 26 (June 1983), pp. 368–76; K. W. Thomas and R. H. Kilmann, Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (Sterling
Forest, NY: Xicom, 1977), in Steven L. McShane, Canadian Organizational Behavior, 4th ed., McGraw-Hill Ryerson.
Member and Group Assessment
One of the most effective group leaders we know conducts regular assessments of her
group. Sometimes, she takes a few moments at the end of the meeting to ask members
whether they thought the goals of the meeting were accomplished and what could have
been done better. At other times, she distributes a more formal questionnaire asking
for specific evaluation of some aspect of the group—problem solving, goal setting, or

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