Tools for Leadership and Learning

Russell Consulting, Inc.

Conflict Orientation Inventory

This self-assessment will help you understand how you handle problems with your coworkers and within your team. Before beginning, consider work situations in which
your wishes or perspective differs from those of your team members. How do you
usually respond to such situations?
On the following pages are thirty pairs of statements describing possible ways you
might act in handling conflicts within your team and with co-workers. From each
pair, circle either the A or B next to the statement that most closely describes
your own action.
In some cases, neither the A or B statement will exactly describe what you would
do or, in other cases, both might describe what you might do. In either case, please
try selecting the one best response that is closest to your own likely actions.
This self-assessment inventory is not a test. You cannot pass or fail. There are
no right or wrong answers, nor are there any best patterns of responses. The
best responses are those that most accurately show your own ways of responding
to conflict within your team or with co-workers.

Once you complete your A or B choices for the 30 pairs of statements, then transfer
your circled choices to the Score Sheet and calculate your behavioral tendencies in
the face of conflict.

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Tools for Leadership and Learning

Russell Consulting, Inc.

Conflict Statements Response Sheet

1.

a.
b.

I often let the other person solve the problem.

Rather than haggle over the issues on which we disagree, I try to stress the issues
on which we both agree.

2.

a.
b.

I usually try to find a middle-ground solution to problems.

I attempt to deal with each of the other persons concerns as well as my own
concerns.

3.

a.
b.

I am usually firm in pursuing my goals.

I try to soothe the other persons feelings.

4.

a.
b.

I try to find a common middle-ground.

I sometimes sacrifice my own wishes in the interest of the other person.

5.

a.
b.

I consistently seek the other persons help in working out a solution.

I try to do what is necessary to avoid tensions with others.

6.

a.
b.

I try to avoid creating unpleasantness for myself.

I try to win my position.

7.

a.
b.

I try to postpone the issue until I have time to think it over.

I give up some points in exchange for others.

8.

a.
b.

I am usually firm in pursuing my goals.

I attempt to get all the issues out in the open immediately.

9.

a.
b.

I feel that differences are not always worth worrying about.

I make a definite effort to get my own way.

10.

a.
b.

I am usually firm in pursuing my goals.

I try to meet the other person half-way.

11.

a.
b.

I attempt to get all the issues out in the open immediately.

I try to soothe the other persons feelings.

12.

a.
b.

I sometimes avoid taking positions that would create controversy.

I let the other person have some of his/her points if the other person lets me have
some of mine.

13.

a.
b.

I propose a middle-ground.
I press to get my points made.

14.

a.
b.

I tell the other person my ideas and ask the other person for his/hers.
I try to show the other person the logic and benefits of my position.

15.

a.
b.

I try to soothe the other persons feelings.

I try to convince the other person of the merits of my position.

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Tools for Leadership and Learning

Russell Consulting, Inc.

16.

a.
b.

I try not to hurt the other persons feelings.

I try to convince the other person of the merits of my position.

17.

a.
b.

I am usually firm in pursuing my goals.

I try to do what is necessary to avoid tensions with others.

18.

a.
b.

If it makes the other person happy, I let him/her have his/her way.
I will let the other person have some of his/her points if the other person lets me
have some of mine.

19.

a.
b.

I attempt to get all the issues out in the open immediately.

I try to postpone the issue until I have time to think it over.

20.

a.
b.

I attempt to work through our differences immediately.

I try to find a fair combination of gains and losses for both of us.

21.

a.
b.

In handling problems, I try to be considerate of the other persons wishes.

I lean toward a direct discussion of the problem.

22.

a.
b.

I try to find a position that is intermediate between his/hers and my own.

I assert my wishes.

23.

a.
b.

I am usually concerned with satisfying all of our wishes.

There are times when I let the other person take responsibility for solving the
problem.

24.

a.
b.

If the other persons position seems very important to him/her, I would try to meet
the other persons wishes.
I try to get the other person to settle for a compromise.

25.

a.
b.

I try to show the other person the logic and benefits of my position.
In handling problems, I try to be considerate of the other persons wishes.

26.

a.
b.

I usually propose a middle-ground.

In handling problems, I try to be considerate of the other persons wishes.

27.

a.
b.

I sometimes avoid taking positions that would create controversy.

If it makes the other person happy, I let him/her have his/her way.

28.

a.
b.

I am usually firm in pursuing my goals.

I usually seek the other persons help in working out a solution.

29.

a.
b.

I usually propose a middle-ground.

I feel that differences are not always worth worrying about.

30.

a.
b.

I try not to hurt the other persons feelings.

I generally share the problem with the other person so that we can work it out
together.

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Tools for Leadership and Learning

Russell Consulting, Inc.

Conflict Orientation Inventory Score Sheet

Circle the letters below that you marked in response to the 30 statement pairs
Tough Battler

Problem Solver

Compromiser

1
2
3

A
B

10

11

B
B

B
A
B
A

12

B
B

13

14

A
A

15

16

17

B
B

19

20

21

B
B

23

A
B

B
A
A

24

B
B

26

B
B

27

A
A

29

30

A
A

18

28

B
B

25

22

Friendly Helper

4
6

Avoider

Total:
Tough Battler

Problem Solver

Compromiser

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Avoider

Friendly Helper
3