The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) is the world's most widely used conflict-style assessment, employed by organizations and mediators globally. Developed by Kenneth Thomas and Ralph Kilmann, it identifies five conflict modes based on two dimensions: how assertively you pursue your own needs and how cooperatively you address others'.

The five modes are: Competing (assertive, uncooperative, winning matters most), Collaborating (assertive, cooperative, finding the best solution for everyone), Compromising (moderate on both, splitting the difference), Avoiding (unassertive, uncooperative, sidestepping conflict), and Accommodating (unassertive, cooperative, yielding to others). Each mode is appropriate in certain situations; the goal is versatility.