Resolving Conflicts on the Job, Second Edition

Chapter 6. Conflict Styles

Many books written about conflict discuss various conflict styles, based on the idea that we each have a dominant way of engaging in conflict. Experience shows us, though, that each of us can use any of these styles and that we choose to use the one that we think will work best. Sometimes, the choice may be unconscious or the result of habit—for example, we always act a certain way when arguing with our sister.

So, no matter our personalities, we shift our approach to conflict and may make poor choices. Knowing some of the approaches will help us to make effective choices.

Four commonly recognized conflict behaviors are:

1. Aggressive

2. Nonassertive

3. Passive-aggressive

4. Assertive

In considering the profiles of these styles, you can ...