As I was assembling all the materials I'd ever created about the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI) and conflict management, I knew I had to develop a meaningful sequence of chapters-from first presenting the basics of the TKI Conflict Model and the TKI assessment tool, all the way to USING that model and tool effectively for approaching the most devastating conflicts on this planet: civil war and international war.
At the start, I discuss the TKI Conflict Model, it's two underlying dimensions, the five conflict-handling modes, and the three diagonal dimensions that enable a deep interpretation of your or anyone else's TKI results. Then I cover the eight key attributes of a conflict situation (e.g., the level of stress, the level of trust, the relative importance of the issue to both parties, etc.), which determine when to choose-and how to use-each one of the five conflict modes: competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding, and accommodating. Next, I demonstrate how to conduct an in-depth interpretation of six very different TKI Profiles. Afterwards, each person can then use their personalized TKI results to significantly improve their conflict-handling behavior.
For the purpose of demonstrating how the TKI Conflict Model and the TKI assessment tool can continue to evolve into new forms and applications far beyond what was initially envisioned way back in the early 1970s, I discuss the first new TKI product to appear in a few decades: the new TKI TEAM Report (as distinguished from the long-standing TKI INDIVIDUAL Report).
I next discuss one of the most novel and profound applications of the TKI Conflict Model and the TKI assessment tool: How you address your INNER conflicts plays a major role in how you address all your OUTER conflicts. In my experience, the focus of virtually all discussion in conflict management concerns the variety of OUTER conflicts that people face in life; yet we can utilize the same conceptual model and use the same assessment tool to address four INNER conflicts: (1) Are you a physical body OR an energy body? (2) Are you governed by your ego OR your soul? (3) Is your SELF (as some combination or synthesis of your ego and your soul) separate from your surrounding systems OR are your systems integrated with who you are? (4) Have you resolved your primal relationships OR have you (whether consciously or not) chosen to spend the remainder of your life being emotionally drained and mentally disorganized by your unresolved wounds from the past?
I conclude my TKI Book by discussing the most disastrous conflicts that were ever created by and for the human species: CIVIL WARS and INTERNATIONAL WARS. I purposely left this topic for last, since it necessarily makes use of everything that came before (all the prior chapters) and much, much more. In particular, to fully appreciate the CAUSES of WAR, I introduce the progressive stages of human consciousness, with particular emphasis on the ethnocentric stage (also called tribal consciousness) that rigidly locks two different homogeneous tribes into sustained conflict (and/or war) with one another. To enable humanity to thrive as well as survive on this planet well into the distant future, human beings must move beyond their prior conditioning that compels them to only be comfortable and mindful with other people of the same kind, what has been called, ethnocentric or tribal consciousness. Instead, human beings will be best served by fully embracing worldcentric consciousness (we are one), so they can eventually expand to spiritcentric consciousness (we are everything everywhere all at once).
How well do your needs and interests fit with your organization's goals and procedures? Asked a bit differently, are you in alignment with your organization or...do you often find yourself at odds--in conflict--with what your organization expects from you?
The Kilmann Organizational Conflict Instrument (KOCI) reveals the systems conflicts that exist between you and your organization, which include both the formal and informal systems, as well as the processes and procedures that take place within those systems. And just how these individual/organizational differences are resolved not only determines your performance and satisfaction, but also determines the survival and success of your organization.
In PART 1 of the instrument, you are first asked to indicate how often you experience the negative effects from a variety of systems conflicts in your organization.
In PART 2 of the instrument, you're asked to indicate the relative frequency that you use different conflict-handling modes to address those systems conflicts.
Taking the Kilmanns Organizational Conflict Instrument and then scoring your results (including the aggregate results for your work group and/or your entire organization) will illuminate the most debilitating system conflicts between you and your organization. And once these conflicts have been identified, you (and your organization) will then be able to consider the most effective ways to resolve such self-defeating conflicts for the benefit of all internal and external stakeholders--by effectively implementing Kilmann's eight track program for quantum transformation.
Creating a Quantum Organization presents everything that I have ever created - and integrated - during the past 50 years on those four timeless topics: conflict management, change management, expanding consciousness, and quantum transformation. Essentially, in my legacy book, I address how managers and members can transform their outdated, sluggish, ineffective, and unfulfilling Newtonian organizations into vibrant, effective, and meaningful quantum organizations. I name this mega challenge: Quantum Transformation.
Creating a Quantum Organization is organized into 12 chapters that include a total of 167 elegant illustrations - which take full advantage of the old adage: A picture is worth a thousand words.
In Chapter 1, I present several Big Pictures, also known as the Complex Hologram and the Quantum Wheel, which dramatically reveal all the interrelationships among systems, processes, and people - both inside and outside an organization.
Chapter 2 and 3 investigate the essence of conflict management and change management - since conflict and change comprise two sides of the same coin. You can't have one without the other: Change creates conflict and resolving conflict creates change. The material on the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI) along with the Kilmann Organizational Conflict Instrument (KOCI) allows us to assess the self-defeating conflicts that members have with their surrounding systems and processes. Examining such systems conflicts will enable us to pinpoint the barriers to long-term success before attempting to implement a completely integrated program of eight tracks that's intended to transform those Newtonian barriers to success into quantum channels for success.
Chapter by chapter, I then present the most relevant and practical material for each of the eight tracks: culture, skills, teams, strategy-structures, reward systems, and the three process improvement tracks. Indeed, any program of change or set of change initiatives that implements these eight tracks out of sequence, or fails to address all eight tracks in their entirety, will inadvertently prevent people and their organizations from realizing their dreams.
In Chapter 11, I address the future of organizational development and quantum transformation by exploring how to expand the mind/body/spirit consciousness of all members - and then bring that expanded consciousness into the workplace.
For the millions of dedicated fans of the renowned Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI), Creating a Quantum Organization makes explicit - and extensive - use of the TKI Conflict Model in virtually every chapter in the book. As a result, you're bound to learn many more illuminating applications of the TKI Conflict Model than you ever thought possible. In addition, you'll develop a deeper appreciation for when to use each of the five conflict modes and how the three diagonal dimensions on the TKI Conflict Model (i.e., the protective, distributive, and the integrative dimensions) can shed additional light on the various short-term and long-term consequences of using one or more of the five conflict modes in any given situation.