Customer Reviews

Joy Of Conflict Resolution, The

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This book reads like a novel or perhaps a good sitcom on people's workplaces. That is what sets it apart from other workplace conflict resolution books. It applies the conflict resolution skills and concepts in a humorous way in a workplace setting with characters, dialogue and clear explanations. A easy way to learn. This is the perfect book to recommend to beginners and would be a great book to make part of a course registration. Whatever, I enjoyed it.

Gary’s book changed my perspective on conflict. As an information technology (IT) consultant and former IT executive, I found conflict to be a part of my world - and never enjoyable. The Joy of Conflict Resolution explains simply why conflict happens and provides the tools and techniques to manage conflict and even make it at times joyful.

- Tom Young, Conflict Resolution Certified, T.N. Young & Associates Ltd.

I really appreciate Gary Harper's engaging, story-telling style. The simplicity and comprehensive treatment of the victim-hero-perpetrator triangle is very adaptable to coaching others dealing with difficult relationships and people on the job. Those I have given this book to have easily applied the model to their own behaviour and their relationships at work all the while creating interest in exploring the subject further on their own.

The joy of conflict resolution? Conflict is something most of us either avoid or confront in unproductive ways. No wonder the result is anything but joyful. Thankfully there’s a better way and this light-hearted and easy to read book shows us how. Gary Harper is a brilliant facilitator and mediator whose training sessions are as much fun as they are insightful. He brings these same qualities to his first publishing effort.

The Joy of Conflict Resolution helps us to understand what lies beneath our own attitudes about conflict. It lets us step outside of the emotional grip of conflict and reassess our actions objectively. As a result, we are able employ solutions that meet our own needs and respect all involved. This is a must-read for anyone wanting to learn to navigate conflict and come to resolutions that are, well, positively joyful.

Immensely readable! Eye-opening stuff written with humour. Easy to relate to, and to laugh at yourself. Also practical for learning better ways to deal with relationships we all have. As an educator, I wish there were more texts like this available that students will enjoy reading and really learn from. Highly recommended.

Gary?s book, The Joy of Conflict Resolution, would make an excellent addition to the reading list of any course that addresses the practice of resolving conflict, personally or organizationally. The ideas are presented clearly and plainly with examples throughout to illustrate the concepts. For a useful perspective on conflict that is accessible and fun to read Gary Harper?s text fills the bill.

Gary Harper?s concept of the hero, the victim, and the villain resonated well with the students in my 3rd year Conflict Resolution course. Even though his book was not required reading a number of students purchased a personal copy. This says much to the power of Gary?s ideas and his style of communication.

Tom Allen

Faculty, Dep't of Criminology

Kwantlen University College

12666-72nd Avenue

Surrey, B.C. V3W 2M8

Entertaining and light overview of conflict resolution techniques, primarily aimed at managers. Easily approachable model of evaluating conflict in terms of the "drama triangle" of victim-villian-hero and many techniques to help extract yourself from the cycle and understanding the roots of conflict.

Simple book but gives good stratagy to dealing with people in conflict situations. Dealing with difficult people is no different than dealing with difficult problems. Start my identifying issue and then making a plan to work the issue.

What a marvellous book for those of us who want to look at a way to relate theory to practise. It really helped me to look at how the victim reallly looks at and reacts to conflict.
It is down to earth and an easy read. A must for the middle manager.

This book does an excellent job of presenting sophisticated
ideas in an accessible and practical way. There is a constant
interchange throughout between theory and practice. Early in
the book we are introduced to the employees of a fictitious
and often dysfunctional company, appropriately and humourously
named Turm-Oil. These characters then serve as the cornerstone
for exploring various conflicts and processes for their
resolution. I found this approach particularly effective, since
the more these conflicts are revisited from different angles,
and from the points of view and interests of the protagonists,
the more understandable and resolvable they become. Although
the main examples of conflict resolution are drawn from this
organizational group, the necessary skills and approaches are
seen to be readily transferable to conflict within family groups
or any other social context. This is a book which manages to
be useful and instructive in a practical and entertaining way.
I recommend it wholeheartedly.