Sensation vs. Intuition and Conflict-Handling Behavior

Excerpt from my new book, Mastering the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) .

Regarding the distinction of Sensation (S) versus Intuition (N) for gathering and receiving information, in our 1975 research study, Ken Thomas and I did not find a statistically significant correlation between the S/N function and any of the five conflict modes (or any of the two underlying dimensions or the three diagonal dimensions that appear on the TKI Conflict Model ).

In a subsequent research study that I conducted in a university course (which I never published), I discovered a modest correlation between the S/N personality trait and the integrative dimension of conflict-handling behavior. Basically, if you have a clear preference for INTUITION, there is a modest tendency for you to choose the collaborating mode relatively more often than people who have a clear preference for Sensation. Here is how I explain the correlation: The enduring personality trait of Intuition predisposes you to SEE the entire conflict situation, the BIG PICTURE (i.e., all surrounding systems and processes), so you can examine the entire landscape of themes, issues, patterns, options, and other approaches to that same conflict situation. This enlarged view with your Intuition function allows you to easily expand the size of the pie and, in the process, consider integrative solutions that will, in all likelihood, satisfy the most important needs of the key people in the situation.

But if you have a clear preference for SENSATION, you’re more likely to use the avoiding mode, simply because you are focused on ONLY one or two pieces of information in the entire situation, and as a result, you wind up avoiding (ignoring or discarding) the other potential areas of disagreement in that same situation. A restricted focus on collecting information via the Sensation function thereby keeps any discussion between the conflicted persons completely off the integrative dimension and solidly on the distributive dimension (let alone on the protective dimension). In essence, primarily using the Sensation function in a conflict situation typically results in a smaller pie of issues to discuss than when people primarily rely on Intuition. In contrast, when you primarily rely on the INTUITION function, you can expand the size of the pie—which then has much larger pieces of pie that can be readily shared with the other people in the conflict situation.

?

Kilmann Diagnostics offers a series of?eleven recorded online courses and nine assessment tools ?on the four timeless topics: conflict management, change management, consciousness, and transformation. By taking these courses and passing the Final Exams, you can earn your?Certification ?in Conflict and Change Management with the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI). For the most up-to-date and comprehensive discussion of Dr. Kilmann’s theories and methods, take a look at his most recent books:?Creating a Quantum Organization and Mastering the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) .

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash