True Partnership: Revolutionary Thinking about Relating to Others [Paperback]

Carl Zaiss (Author), Alfonso Montuori (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 9, 2002

The main reason people don't accomplish more at work and at home is that they don't focus on what matters: the quality of their relationships. In this book, an international business consultant discusses four beliefs that keep people from building productive and satisfying relationships: seeing oneself as separate and autonomous, feeling connected only through power and control, having an either/or, right/wrong mentality, and perceiving the world as fixed and predetermined. True Partnership offers a proven and effective method for improving relationships by reassessing these limiting beliefs.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

International trainer and consultant Carl Zaiss says too many of us approach the various key relationships we develop throughout our lives, be they at work or at home, with a mindset that actually hinders our chances for success. In True Partnership he advances the notion that we can better realize our goals by positively redefining the way we see, and act toward, everyone with whom we become associated. Utilizing principles adopted from the new quantum model in physics, Zaiss proposes a similarly interrelated behavioral framework for completely refashioning how we initially engage and later associate with all of those involved--eventually moving us far beyond the "shallow and simplistic" reality prevalent in most of such unions today. The bulk of the book delves further into the four tenets that support his fresh method for relating to others: connecting "as integral parts of a system," communicating "through our speaking and our listening," expanding "access to different perceptions about every situation," and observing "through the lens of our own personal history." Ultimately, as Zaiss suggests, this "paradigm-altering approach" to changing the quality of our relationships could very well open "the door to new opportunities" that we may not now even know exist. --Howard Rothman

From the Publisher

"This compelling work stimulates thinking in new ways and delivers a proven and effective approach to transforming the quality of relationships with others. Zaiss is a management visionary and his advice is essential to anyone concerned with individual and organizational excellence." -- William J. Trahant - Partner-In-Charge of Organizational & Change Strategy, PricewaterhouseCoopers "Business is all about relationships. In True Partnership, Carl Zaiss clearly articulates and expands on simple yet timeless truths that can help the reader make tenuous relationships even stronger and good relationships great." -- Peter Burgdorff - President and CEO, ERA Franchise Systems, Inc.

"Educators, if you are looking for a fresh perspective on relationships, I recommend True Partnership. Zaiss' theory is fascinating and readable. A must read for supervisors and shared decision-making teams." -- Linda Tinelli Sheive, Ph.D., Professor of Educational Administration, Oswego State University "Never was there an idea more timely and urgent than this, and more in need of being pondered and taken to heart." -- Ervin Laszlo, Ph.D. - Founder, The International Club of Budapest, Author, Macroshift - Navigating the Transformation to a Sustainable World

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers; 1 edition (February 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157675166X
• ISBN-13: 978-1576751664
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #737,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pushing the Envelope, February 6, 2002

By 

Maria E. Hill (South Riding, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: True Partnership: Revolutionary Thinking about Relating to Others (Paperback)

I have read many books on relationships. Many offer insights but little potential for lasting improvements. This book goes beyond the traditional relationship approaches to focus on the driving factor in our relationships: how we think about another person and how that thinking limits what is possible for us. Rather than tinkering with behaviors and results, Carl leaps to attitude and options, which provides anyone who wants more enjoyable relationships with an innovative tool to make their lives at home and at work more enjoyable and satisfying for themselves and everyone else.

At first I thought, the ideas were very simple until I realized how revolutionary they are. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to take their relationships to a different level. It certainly gave me much to think about. I am grateful to Carl for his work. I consider "True Partnership" a must read!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get Out Of That "Drift!", May 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: True Partnership: Revolutionary Thinking about Relating to Others (Paperback)

Carl Zaiss makes the bold statement in his new book that "there are things we can do to build a stronger relationship no matter what the other person does." In this fantastic book, the author contrasts "The Drift," his term for traditional ways of thinking and relating to other people, with "True Partnership," in which efforts are focused on enhancing the relationship itself. If things aren't going your way at work or at home because of "those other people in your life, who won't do what they should do" then take heart - this is a very encouraging book that shows you how to stop trying to change other people (and yourself) and instead focus on changing the relationships themselves. Techniques include connecting with others by realizing the interdependence of us all on each other; communicating with intent to constantly improve the quality of communications; expanding from an "either/or" mentality to a "both/and" orientation; and observing not from one's initial "gut feeling" point of view but trying out different points of view to see if a new one helps resolve an old conflict. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for those looking for a new communications, team building, or conflict management tool.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Idea New to Me, February 7, 2002

By 

neal mckinney (Vienna, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: True Partnership: Revolutionary Thinking about Relating to Others (Paperback)

I thought I had heard all the personal development ideas and buzz words. My wife and I had spent a lot of time (and money) in personal development and appreciation of each other's identities. What's different about Zaiss's approach is the emphasis on the relationship, not the individuals. So Karen and I can forget about how we interact as individuals. We can also forget about aspects of each other that we would like to have different, because they don't necessariy matter. We can both be individually unsuitable for each other and still develop a great relationship. Wow. Now here's something to work on.