Learning in Relationship: Foundation for Personal and Professional Success [Paperback]

Ronald R. Short (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 18, 1999

Organizations and individuals suffer immensely when relationships sour. Costs soar. Waste multiplies. Pain and resentments paralyze work and productivity. What if these outcomes could be avoided? Learning in Relationship says they can, and rather easily at that. These difficulties are seldom because of malevolence (although we often assume so) or impossible individuals (although we often think "they" are), but because we miss, misinterpret, and misattribute information. Relationships and difficulties are opportunities to learn.

To accomplish learning, the book puts the reader--not the other "malevolent" or "difficult" individual(s)--in charge, knowing that abstract organizations don't change, only individuals change. . . who then work together to make changes in their specific relationship and organization.

The book is divided into three parts: Thinking Lessons, Inquiry Lessons, and Application Lessons. The reader walks away with specific maps, methods, and models to put into immediate use.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a very useful book that applies to 90 percent of our waking hours. The author's years of experience sho on every page; you can sens the life of study, experience and reflection that back this book. He shows a remakable talent for expressing what is behind or beneath what you think is obvious. He knows your struggles because they are his; his learning can speed up your own." Geoffrey Bellman review to appear in latest Association for Quality and Productive (AQP)) journal.

"I'm half way through your book and can't wait until I finish to tell you how much I am valuing this latest work of yours." Consultant.

"Ron, I wanted to tell you how profoundly my life has been touched by your book." Student in graduate school.

"Wow...a great tool that really hits the spot and target audience just right in my opinion." Plant Manager.

"I'm very excited. I felt I must write you and let you know the immediate impact your new book has had on me; and relate how I was able to use the information just this week." Consultant -- Reviews

About the Author

Ron's 30 plus years as an educator, director of an innovative graduate program, and most recently as a consultant have confirmed the three fundamental beliefs.
1. Mistrust is often the epicenter of organizational chaos, pain and waste.
2. These costs can be transformed into profitable, productive energy when people learn to trust each other and themselves.
3. This transformation does not come about by magic. It requires vigilance, self awareness and the disciplined application of values, principles, and skills--all of which contribute to collective learning.

Ron received his doctorate in psychology from Claremont Graduate School in 1965; was an intern with the National Training Laboratories in 1969; co-created the LIOS Master of Arts in the Applied Behavioral Sciences; and with John Runyan, founded The Leadership Group. He has consulted and trained extensively in the United States and abroad and has written numerous articles in professional journals.

The focus of his entire career has been to help individuals learn from each other.

Product Details

• Paperback: 153 pages
• Publisher: Learning in Action Technologies; 1st edition (April 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887259007
• ISBN-13: 978-1887259002
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,061,487 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Insightful, Eye-opening, June 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Learning in Relationship: Foundation for Personal and Professional Success (Paperback)

The skills and awarenesses that this book teaches can be invaluable to any reader. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wishes to improve his or her interactions with others. This book introduces or reinforces the concepts that every person's viewpoint is unique, that we each have our own reality or story, and that we bring that story to every interaction we have with others. Thus, a critical component of having effective and meaningful dialog with others is our ability to be aware of our own stories "in the moment" and understand that others have their own stories. The book offers techniques to enhance our skills at learning through interaction. The technique, "learning from mutual inquiry" is incredibly helpful, as it shows how we can share information about our own perspective and invite others to do the same in a non-threatening manner. This is a skill that I believe very few people have mastered. In addition to focusing on heightening awareness about our one on one interactions, a good portion of this book identifies how a reader may apply these skills to analyzing and improving systems (for example, analyzing patterns of communication behavior and potentially improving those interactions based on uncovering why those patterns exist). Hats off to Ron Short for sharing his wealth of knowledge. I wish I read this book sooner!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book!, July 14, 2005

By 

Hsuan Hua Chang "Coach Seattle" (Seattle) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Learning in Relationship : Foundation for Personal and Professional Success (Paperback)

I read this book twice so far and I am learning a lot from it.

Ron uses very simple language to explain very deep thoughts on living and learning from inside-out; different types of inquiries and how to apply the inquiries on our daily relationships.

He said - the secret of learning is to observe, not change, yourself.

The book is very easy to read, and well organized. It offers me a lot to think as a certified professional life/business coach, a single mom with 3 teens, and a high-tech employee in a large and just merged cooperation.

I have recommended this book to all my friends and highly recommend it to everyone who is into personal growth.