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The core concept of
From Conflict to Creativity is that conflict is an essential ingredient of
creative thinking. There are dangers, of course, but avoiding conflict can also
mean that the company, organization, or government unit is missing an
opportunity to be creative, even brilliantly so. As the authors state: "... we
should not be overly concerned about organizational conflict because the real
issue is not its presence but how it is handled. If conflict is managed
effectively, the workplace can be a pleasant and stimulating environment."
Does this sound like a tightrope, with angry turf battles on one side,
and apathy on the other? Yes, and the authors acknowledge the problem. The book
contains many dos and don'ts and helpful hints to assist the manager or
facilitator in walking that tightrope and in bringing the team along for the
walk. Another nice feature is the use of many stories and short examples. These
are scattered throughout the book, and often follow a theoretical statement, so
that the reader is told that something will work and then a real example of
that very situation is provided.
From Conflict to Creativity is an easy
read, and that is meant in the best possible way. It contains ideas that are
clearly stated and tied together from chapter to chapter. It should be of
considerable value to professionals seeking to expand their skills and service
horizons. These not only include mediators and facilitators, but also business
leaders, managers, committee members, and work teams.
Mr. Krauss is Director of Community and Court
Programs for the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management.
His mediation experience is primarily in the fields of personnel, small
business, union grievance, land use, and environmental concerns.
This book review appeared
in ACResolution, the Quarterly Magazine of the Association for Conflict
Resolution, Spring 2002. |
