An holistic approach
When working with a group of participants, trainers may face various kinds of behaviour. When handling disruptive behaviour, the trainers can be done through different phases:
(1) Know it: co-create an agreement or contract with the group on what behaviour is accepted to reach the learning goals of the project. During a one-week training, you can co-create with the group a flip chart with elements the group agrees upon. For longer term collaborations, you can create something more formal as attached. With your team of trainers, you can reflect on the topics that should be addressed in this contract (e.g., alcohol and phone use, being on time, what is needed for respectful collaboration, etc.).

(2) See it: as a team of trainers, you can recognise certain behaviour that is disruptive and against the contract elements. You can connect it to categories of behaviour: (a) inattention, (b) hyperactivity and impulsivity, (c) oppositionality and defiance, and (d) conduct problems and antisocial behaviors including aggression (see for more Lefler and Hartung). During team meetings, specific cases can be discussed and verified if other trainers saw the same and how to approach this behaviour, who will do what, etc.
(3) Solve it: this activity will focus on this step below.
(4) Add it: based on the situation and response, the trainers can update the contract together with the participants.

The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI)
The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) is a world-leading framework designed to measure an individual's behavior in conflict situations. According to this methodology, conflict behavior is defined along two basic dimensions:
1. Assertiveness: The degree to which you try to satisfy your own concerns.
2. Cooperativeness: The degree to which you try to satisfy the other person’s concerns.
Based on these two dimensions, the TKI identifies five distinct "modes" or styles for responding to conflict. No single mode is "right" or "wrong"; rather, each is effective in specific situations.
Watch the video and infographic to understand all different conflict modes and when to use them.

Step 0. Reflect on what spoken and unspoken rules have to be in a social contract, to ensure appropriate behaviour in a team.
Step 1. Thomas Kilmann Model Self Assessment: Individually think of 2-3 situations of Disruptive behavior or conflict in your training experience. How did you respond? Where on the model quadrant would you as a trainer place your responses in these situations? Have you been collaborating, competing,compromising,accommodating or avoiding? What worked and what didn't? Do you think another Conflict Mode Instrument would have worked better?
Step 2. As a team, shortly reflect your situations and disruptions you experienced, as well as your assessment you put your response in. What conflict mode instruments do you feel comfortable with, and what needs do you have from the team in such situations?
Training of trainers course participants created this educational activity and resources to support trainers teamwork competence development. The Awero team organised the course.
This activity supports trainers’ competence development in the Cooperating successfully in teams area. Activity content and badge-issuing criteria aligned with the European Training Strategy (ETS) competence model for trainers working internationally. In particular:
- Contributing actively to team tasks
- Being willing to take on responsibility
- Encouraging and involving other team members
- Learning with and from others
- Being aware of the team processes and how they affect the team’s effectiveness
- Managing disagreements constructively
