Reaching for Higher Ground in Conflict Resolution : Tools for Powerful Groups and Communities (Hardcover)

by E. Franklin Dukes (Author), Marina A. Piscolish (Author), John B. Stephens (Author) "Forty-five minutes into the meeting, Janelle is getting nervous..." (more)
Key Phrases: envisioning desired outcomes, creating shared expectations, reaching higher ground, Catron County, United States, Franklin Dukes (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
For everyone who works in and with groups-including mediators, managers, committee chairs, team leaders, consultants, teachers, and trainers-Reaching for Higher Ground in Conflict Resolution presents clear principles and proven techniques for productive group experience. The book includes a wealth of examples and practical advice on how to guide groups to: articulate the values they hold dear, develop the principles that will guide their efforts, and clarify the shared expectations that will be honored throughout their work. Here you will find the knowledge and learn the skills necessary to demystify and facilitate conflict transformation and successful group problem solving.

From the Inside Flap
Reaching for Higher Ground in Conflict ResolutionFew groups harness the power of their members' collective wisdom and aspirations to achieve something out of the ordinary. In fact, effective, powerful groups and positive group experiences tAnd to be the exception. How can groups go beyond the common experience and reach for higher ground? There is a simple, but not simplistic answer.In Reaching for Higher Ground in Conflict Resolution, John Stephens, Frank Dukes and Marina Piscolish present an original approach to group problem solving and conflict transformation, demonstrating the value of setting up and maintaining deep commitments and broadly shared expectations as an integral part of effective group process. As the authors show, this practical approach can go a long way toward creating authentic community and sustainable agreements in group settings.For everyone who works in and with groups-including mediators, managers, committee chairs, team leaders, consultants, teachers, and trainers-Reaching for Higher Ground in Conflict Resolution presents clear principles and proven techniques for productive group experience. The book includes a wealth of examples and practical advice on how to guide groups to: articulate the values they hold dear, develop the principles that will guide their efforts, and clarify the shared expectations that will be honored throughout their work. Here you will find the knowledge and learn the skills necessary to demystify and facilitate conflict transformation and successful group problem solving. Easily applied to a wide variety of organizations and group settings, these practical and flexible tools and techniques include:? Advice for getting group buy-in to the need for shared expectations? Directions for guiding a group's development of context- and culture-sensitive shared expectations? Ideas for determining the right level of attention to shared expectations given the group's characteristics and needs? Sug

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1st edition (November 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787950580
• ISBN-13: 978-0787950583
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,084,116 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guidance for anyone invloved with large groups, January 29, 2002

By	Laura Bachle, AICP (Alexandria, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews

Frank Dukes, Marina Piscolish, and John Stephens have successfully collaborated on a book that takes a frank and honest look at what facilitators do in groups and how to do it better. The book is remarkably readable and has instant applicability not only to those of us in the business of mediation; the city administrator and elected official will also find the book extremely useful. I recommend it to my colleagues in the planning profession as a refreshing and rewarding approach to handling large group processes.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reaching for Higher Ground in Conflict Resolution, March 26, 2002

By	Marylou Smith (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews

This is a well written, concise and practical book that can serve as a valuable resource for members of any group, including the family unit. It inspired me and gives me hope that there is a way for people to learn how to come together in groups and solve our problems in a principled, creative process that works for the higher good of all concerned.