The Everyday Leader's Journal

Conflict Styles Quiz

Written by Michelle Bennett | Mar 15, 2021 6:36:00 PM

No one likes conflict, especially at work. But disagreements between those you work with are sometimes inevitable. So, the question isn’t how you avoid conflict. It's when conflict arises, how do you handle it?

To find out which of these styles you are naturally inclined toward, take our Conflict Styles Quiz below!

 

QUESTION 1

When it comes to conflict at work, I would say my greatest strength is:

  1. Thinking out of the box to find solutions that work for all parties equally
  2. Avoiding conflict until absolutely necessary
  3. Making my opinion heard 
  4. Keeping the peace
  5. Settling on a middle-ground 

QUESTION 2

Your boss has expressed that they are upset with a mistake you’ve made. How are you most likely to respond?

  1. I profusely apologize and do exactly what they tell me to fix it.
  2. I feel a degree of fear confronting the situation, and so I avoid it until the last possible moment.
  3. None of these sound like me

 

QUESTION 3

True or false: In a conflict, I prioritize restoring harmony, even if that means I have to push aside or ignore my own needs or thoughts.

  1. True
  2. False

QUESTION 4

In a meeting, if your peers are arguing over something trivial, such as the font size of a document, what are you most likely to do?

  1. I offer a middle-ground solution and ask the group if they can compromise on that so we can get back to more pressing matters.
  2. I make a decision for the group, even if it's an unpopular one. Anything to get back on track.
  3. None of these sound like me

QUESTION 5

True or false: When I find myself in a difficult conversation, I usually say very little and try to leave as soon as possible.

  1. True
  2. False

QUESTION 6

You receive an email from a peer with criticism about something that has little to do with you. What are you most likely to do?

  1. Ignore the email. Only if it comes up again would I deal with it
  2. I take note of any points they have made that are valid, offer what explanation I can, and offer to connect them with the right person.
  3. None of these sound like me

QUESTION 7

I am not afraid of having honest, albeit difficult, conversations if it means we can get to the heart of the conflict and find a win-win solution.

  1. True
  2. False

QUESTION 8

You’re about to attend an important meeting, and a colleague pulls you aside. They’re upset and ask you to do something you’re unsure about. This catches you off guard. How are you most likely to respond?

  1. I politely explain that while I cannot deal with this right now, it is important to me, and I will find them afterward to discuss it.
  2. With the clock ticking, I quickly say yes and decide to deal with it later.
  3. None of these sound like me

QUESTION 9

I have been told I come off as competitive or aggressive when discussing a conflict.

  1. True
  2. False

QUESTION 10

You just announced a new initiative and are experiencing a lot of resistance and criticism for it. What are you most likely to do?

  1. I stand firm in the decision and plan to tell the team this is how we’re going to do it.
  2. I set up a time for the team to sit down together, identify the problems, and create solutions that work for everyone.

QUESTION 11

True or false: If a conflict comes to a deadlock, I am willing to meet the person halfway and compromise.

  1. True
  2. False

QUESTION 12

Finish this sentence: When dealing with a conflict at work, I am focused on…

  1. Not upsetting anyone 
  2. Getting out of the situation quickly 
  3. Finding a solution that somewhat satisfies everyone 
  4. Making my point of view heard 
  5. Fostering an atmosphere of empathy so we can get to the root of the problem 

 

Results

Track your responses to each question. Whatever style comes up the most is your most dominant conflict style.

Question 1:

  1. Collaborating
  2. Avoiding
  3. Competing
  4. Accommodating
  5. Compromising

Question 2:

  1. Accommodating
  2. Avoiding
  3. N/A

Question 3:

  1. Accommodating
  2. N/A

Question 4:

  1. Compromising
  2. Competing
  3. N/A

Question 5:

  1. Avoiding
  2. N/A

Question 6:

  1. Avoiding
  2. Collaborating
  3. N/A

Question 7:

  1. Collaborating
  2. N/A

Question 8:

  1. Compromising
  2. Accommodating

Question 9:

  1. Competing
  2. N/A

Question 10:

  1. Competing
  2. Collaborating

Question 11:

  1. Compromising
  2. N/A

Question 12:

  1. Accommodating
  2. Avoiding
  3. Compromising
  4. Competing
  5. Collaborating
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