Have a Nice Conflict
A Story of Finding Success & Satisfaction in the Most Unlikely Places
By: Tim Scudder, Michael Patterson, Kent Mitchell
Published: 2011
Format: Hardcover, 233 pages
ISBN-10: 1932627111
ISBN-13: 978-1932627114
Publisher: Personal Strengths Publishing, Inc.
"It is our hope that this book will make accessible to you some of the principles of managing conflict effectively", write executives at Personal Strengths, Inc., Tim Scudder, Michael Patterson, and Kent Mitchell in their engaging and idea packed business fable Have a Nice Conflict: A Story of Finding Success & Satisfaction in the Most Unlikely Places. The authors present the difficulties encountered by John Doyle as he faces conflicts and seemingly insurmountable problems in both his personal relationships and his failing career.
Tim Scudder (photo left), Michael Patterson, and Kent Mitchell utilize the vehicle of the business parable to present the relationship based approach to interpersonal conflict based on the research of pioneering psychologist Dr. Elias H. Porter (1914-1987). The authors share the concept of a relationship approach to resolving personal conflict that offers superior results, enhanced relationships, and improved self-worth for everyone involved. The many intriguing characters, most notably the wise and worldly Dr. Mac, who guides the problem laden John Doyle through the many conflicts in both his personal and professional lives.
Michael Patterson (photo left), Kent Mitchell, and Tim Scudder present characters and life like situations where conflict is present. Whether in his personal life or in his floundering career, John Doyle learns valuable lessons in how to recognize conflict and in placing them into the appropriate context. Once the type of conflict is understood and conceptualized, John Doyle is able to discover a resolution to the conflict that not only solves the problem, but also deepens his relationship with those around him. Dr. Mac teaches John to deal with the conflicts effectively to consider and account for the emotions and self-worth of everyone who was part of the initial conflict.
Kent Mitchell (photo left), Tim Scudder, and Michael Patterson provide powerful insights into the nature of conflict, and the power of the book is how the authors present these concepts in an engaging parable format. The ideas of Relationship Awareness Theory take on meaning and relevance for the reader as the story of John Doyle unfolds. The situations and characterizations are realistic, and offer useful and applicable advice for achieving successful and relationship enriching outcomes from conflict. The authors understand that conflicts arise in both interpersonal and workplace environments, and the need to communicate and express emotions and concerns openly and with an eye to overall beneficial outcomes is essential.
Along with the engaging and entertaining story of John Doyle, the book also contains character assessments for the people depicted in the parable. There are also tools for continuing the transition from any current conflict toward a better understanding between people. The concepts of Relationship Awareness Theory are complex and the business fable format gives them a memorable and effective form for future reference. The book is a useful teaching tool and gateway to additional study and discussion of the principles of Relationship Awareness Theory.
I highly recommend the accessible and relationship building business parable Have a Nice Conflict: A Story of Finding Success & Satisfaction in the Most Unlikely Places by Tim Scudder, Michael Patterson, and Kent Mitchell, to anyone seeking an effective and practical methodology for transforming potentially relationship destroying conflicts into positive outcomes for everyone affected by the circumstances. This fascinating fable develops the concepts of Relationship Awareness Theory, and presents them in a way that is both understandable and applicable to any conflict based situation.
Read the useful introduction to Relationship Awareness Theory in the form of the fable Have a Nice Conflict: A Story of Finding Success & Satisfaction in the Most Unlikely Places by Tim Scudder, Michael Patterson, and Kent Mitchell, and end the debilitating conflicts that ruin relationships both on and off the job, and replace them with understanding and deeper meaning for all. Stories improve learning and this book creates an excellent learning tool.
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