Introduction & Overview

Learning Outcomes
1. Participants will discover their most salient conflict management style according to the
Thomas-Killan Conflict Mode Instrument.
2. Participants will be able identify the five types of conflict management styles on the
Thomas-Killan Conflict Mode Instrument.
3. Participants will be able to discuss the four types of conflict interventions most
commonly used by student affairs professionals.
Conflict Management Styles
Review of Material

Who can tell me one the 5 styles of conflict management as listed in the Nienow article?
o Write down on board as mentioned

Assessment Understanding Yourself

Participants will take the Thomas-Killan Conflict Mode Instrument to identify their most
salient conflict management style.
o Pass out test
o Halfway through, pass out chart handout with fill in the blank style questions
(front & back)
Discussion:
o Who fell into which category (by a show of hands)?
o By looking at the descriptions on the chart, do you feel like your identified style
does in fact match your conflict management style?

Group Activity - Understanding Others

Fill in the blanks on the worksheet through class discussion

o Who can fill in the blank for this type of style?
Have back-ups in case no one falls into certain styles

Discussion

Are conflict management and conflict resolution the same thing?

How are they different?
In what scenarios would you need to resolve conflict? To manage conflict?

Types of Conflict Interventions

Review

Who can describe Facilitation? Negotiation? Mediation? Arbitration?

Activity

Class discussion: Identify and explain which type of conflict intervention you would
utilize in each of the following scenarios?
o Scenario 1:
Recommendation:
o Scenario 2:
Recommendation:
o Scenario 3:
Recommendation:
Wrap-up

Discussion

Is conflict good or bad?

To what extent?
What is conflict good for?
Can it be harmful to an organization?

Learning Outcomes Review

1. Who can tell me about their most salient conflict management style according to the
Thomas-Killan Conflict Mode Instrument? (2 people)
2. Who can identify the five types of conflict management styles on the Thomas-Killan
Conflict Mode Instrument? (1 person)
3. Who can discuss one of the four types of conflict interventions most commonly used by
student affairs professionals and when you would use it? (4 people)