The Conflict Resolution Toolbox

Conflict is a natural part of human interaction, yet most people have little confidence that they can manage conflict effectively. Why? As expert mediator and author Gary Furlong explains, our million-year-old brains have developed some habits and biases that don't serve us well in tense situations. We make unconscious judgments and interpretations, and we react emotionally. When we're in the middle of conflict, we rarely take the time to understand what's causing the conflict or what might resolve it. By diagnosing why a conflict is happening, we can find better solutions quickly. We need simple, clear tools and strategies to work through each unique conflict situation as it's happening. The Conflict Resolution Toolbox is a beautifully organized guide offering nine distinct, practical models for diagnosing conflict in any situation. Further, the book details how negotiators, mediators, leaders and others can take action to resolve conflicts effectively. There is no one size fits all method that will work in every conflict situation, and each conflict can be seen from multiple viewpoints. By applying the multiple frameworks in this book, readers can find the path forward that best fits each unique scenario. Since its first publication in 2005, The Conflict Resolution Toolbox has helped countless practitioners, from mediators and managers to everyday individuals navigating business and personal relationships. In the intervening years, there has been substantial new research in fields like neuroscience and behavioral economics, shedding additional light on how we think (or why we fail to think) when conflict arises. This Second Edition introduces new chapters and case studies that take decades of research in a wide range of fields into account-a major benefit for new and loyal readers alike.