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by Ralph H. Kilmann, co-author of the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI)

In previous blogs, I've examined such inner reflections as who determines your self-worth (you or others) and how you resolve the conflict between your ego and your soul. Using one or more of the five conflict modes, each of us develops some answers to these questions—or we avoid the topic altogether and thus let the “answers” be driven by our conditioned habits and unconscious cultural expectations....

by Ralph H. Kilmann, co-author of the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI)

Recently, I’ve been having more discussions on the core topic of self-worth: Am I a good or bad person? Am I valuable? Am I loveable? Do I deserve to be happy? And, most importantly, who chooses the answers to these profound questions: You or other people?...

by Ralph H. Kilmann, co-author of the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI)

Since the early 1970s, two dimensions have been used to plot the five conflict modes: Assertiveness and Cooperativeness (my attempts to satisfy my own needs versus my attempts to satisfy the other person's needs, respectively). Occasionally, these two dimensions were modified to Person A and Person B, as just another way of focusing on the needs and concerns of two people engaged in an interpersonal conflict....

by Ralph H. Kilmann, co-author of the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI)

Since the start of these blogs, I have posted numerous discussions on various aspects of consciousness, conflict, truth, and resolution. As it turns out, those particular discussions were often drawn from an autobiographical book that I was writing during the past seven years. Finally, that book has been published: The Courageous Mosaic: Awakening Society, Systems, and Souls....

by Ralph H. Kilmann, co-author of the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI)

There appears to be a rapid increase in the use of e-mail exchanges for resolving all kinds of personal and workplace conflicts. Instead of taking the extra time for phone calls, virtual meetings, or those old-fashioned face-to-face discussions, people are texting or e-mailing their concerns and solutions to one another....

by Ralph H. Kilmann, co-author of the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI)

I'd like to comment on a seven-day workshop I attended in Westminster, Colorado. This experience is called "Ultimatum" and is based on the work of Dr. Donald Epstein, a chiropractor, who has developed several mind/body/spirit disciplines and has written several books and many articles. The forty or so participants who attended, including myself, learned (and energetically experienced) so much in a relatively short period of time. But I can share a few gems....

by Ralph H. Kilmann, co-author of the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI)

I'd like to share some of the work I've done with applying the TKI in groups in order to improve conflict-handling behavior and thus performance. This work adds some interesting dimensions to the TKI training that is typically done with individuals in a workshop session (not in their intact work groups), one-on-one coaching with clients, or mediation between two people....

by Ralph H. Kilmann, co-author of the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI)

At times, when two people can't achieve a workable resolution to their conflict (whether in their personal or professional lives), I have found it useful to frame the dialogue as resolving different versions of the TRUTH: What really happened, did anything happen at all, and what is the real truth between the different stories and versions of reality?...