Building critical self-awareness is a key component for fostering more constructive engagement in conflict. There are many different tools for prompting conversations among students about their approaches to conflict and collaboration. At Middlebury, two tools have been used in various spaces with students, faculty, and staff:

1. The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) assesses five conflict modes: competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding, and accommodating. These behavioral choices are defined by two underlying dimensions: assertiveness and cooperativeness. These are different combinations of trying to get your needs met (low, medium, and high) and trying to get the other person’s needs met (low, medium, and high). You can learn more at the TKI website here. There is a free version of the TKI at the US Institute of Peace website: https://www.usip.org/public-education-new/conflict-styles-assessment.

2. The DiSC Assessment tool provides a way to reflect on their preferences and tendencies. As this tool and the TKI make clear, there is no one style is better or worse than the next. Awareness of these differences can drive better communication and healthier cultures. This tool is used by many folks in Human Resources (contact Sheila Cameron); free versions are also available online, including here.