People-Centered / Team & Organizational Solutions / Change Management
TKI Conflict Mode Instrument
Support your existing and new teams to turn conflict into clarity - and collaboration into results.
The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI®) is a trusted tool for strengthening teams at every level, from frontline staff to senior leadership, across both public and private sectors.
For new teams, TKI® creates a strong starting point—helping members understand each other’s conflict styles, anticipate where challenges may arise, and establish shared approaches for working through conflict early on.
For established teams, it offers a reset—making sense of existing dynamics, surfacing patterns in how conflict shows up, and identifying practical, constructive ways to move forward together.
Understand Conflict. Strengthen Your Team.
Conflict shows up in every workplace—but how people respond to it makes the difference between stalled progress and strong, effective teams.
The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI®) is a globally recognized assessment that helps individuals understand how they naturally respond to conflict, and how to adapt their approach to work more effectively with others.
Rather than labeling behaviours as “good” or “bad,” the TKI identifies five distinct conflict modes. Each represents a different way of balancing your own priorities with the needs of others.
The Five Conflict Modes
- Competing – Taking a clear, decisive position
- Collaborating – Working together to find the best possible outcome
- Compromising – Finding practical, middle-ground solutions
- Avoiding – Stepping back to create space or reduce tension
- Accommodating – Prioritizing relationships and supporting others
Every individual uses all five modes—but most people have default patterns they rely on, often without realizing it.
Why This Matters in Your Workplace
Without a shared understanding of conflict, teams can experience:
- Miscommunication and frustration
- Unresolved tensions
- Inefficient decision-making
- Avoidance of important conversations
The TKI® provides a practical, structured way to build awareness and shift those patterns.
What You Can Expect
Through a TKI® assessment and facilitated session, individuals and teams will:
- Gain clear insight into their personal conflict style
- Understand how their approach impacts others
- Learn when and how to adapt their style
- Build confidence in navigating difficult conversations
- Strengthen trust, communication, and team effectiveness
A Practical Tool for Real Conversations
TKI® is not just theory—it’s a practical tool that can be immediately applied in day-to-day interactions, leadership situations, and team dynamics.
It’s especially valuable for:
- Team development and onboarding
- Leadership and management training
- Navigating organizational change
- Strengthening workplace culture and psychological safety
Bringing It Into Your Organization
TKI sessions are customized to your team and context, ensuring the insights are relevant, practical, and actionable.