Learn Strengths and Weaknesses of Each Style

Why bother?  Because if you don't understand that each style is very useful for certain purposes and quite unhelpful for others, you will probably make things worse for yourself and others in some conflicts, even when your intentions are good.   If you understand each style you will have greater flexibility and freedom to choose the response that is right for you.

Click here for a graphic of all five styles on one page.

Click on the tabs below and get a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of each style.
In reviewing each style, note that:

• The key difference between the styles is the priorities of the user, that is, whether you focus on your own agenda, the relationship, or both.
• Each style has a certain kind of power, but it comes from differing sources.
• Each style provides certain benefits, but also has real limits and costs if relied on too much.

Click on the tabs.

• Directing
• Avoiding
• Harmonizing
• Cooperating
• Compromising