Week 9: Conflict Communication
Conflict Style Inventory
Instructions
This activity helps you understand your conflict patterns and practice more constructive approaches. Take 20-25 minutes to reflect honestly on each prompt.
1Practice Prompt
Based on the five conflict styles, what is your default or most-used style? In what types of situations do you tend to use it? What are the benefits and limitations of relying on this style?
Consider how you typically respond when you disagree with friends, family, colleagues, or strangers.
2Practice Prompt
Think of a past conflict that didn't go well. Analyze it for constructive and destructive patterns. Did any of the 'Four Horsemen' appear? What could you have done differently to make it more constructive?
Focus on your own behavior, not just what the other person did wrong.
3Practice Prompt
You need to have a difficult conversation with someone about an issue that matters to you. Write out: (1) what you want to say using 'I' statements, (2) how you'll acknowledge their perspective, and (3) questions you'll ask to understand their interests.
This can be a real upcoming conversation or a hypothetical one for practice.
4Practice Prompt
Think of a recent disagreement where both parties took fixed positions. What were the underlying interests behind each position? How might understanding those interests have led to a different outcome?
Remember: positions are what people say they want; interests are why they want it.