From Conflict to Creativity

Sy Landau-- a professional mediator and trainer--is president ofOrganizational Strategies Group, Inc., a management consulting firmspecializing in the resolution of difficult workplace conflictsthat create tension and reduce productivity. Barbara Landau is a psychologist, attorney, trainer, and mediatorwho is experienced in resolving workplace, commercial, and familylaw disputes. She is president of Cooperative Solutions and offerstraining in the areas of mediation, negotiation, and conflictresolution. Daryl Landau is a dispute resolution consultant and trainer withOrganizational Strategies Group, Inc. He has a master's degree inconflict resolution from George Mason University and teachesorganizational conflict management at George Brown College.

"High performance organizations are creative organizations. Drawingupon real life experiences, the Landaus guide you through theprocess of harnessing conflict to produce creative solutions."--John G. Smalley, former vice president and director of humanresources, The Canada Life Assurance Company "Conflict and creativity-two of the lowest rated leadershipcompetencies that make the biggest differences in results. Thisbook is a must for managers, executives, coaches, and teamsinterested in breaking through the barriers to high performance."--Susan Wright, principal, The Coaching Project Inc. "The Landaus tap their extensive and diverse experience ininterest-based conflict resolution to provide a practical guide formanaging conflict within organizations. They offer a steady flow ofreal-life examples to illustrate techniques for managing both thecreative and destructive effects of differences." --JayFolberg, professor of law, University of San Francisco andcoauthor, Mediation: A Comprehensive Guide "The Landaus' easy to understand approach makes this a usefulhandbook even for those new to conflict resolution inorganizations." --Christine E. Hart, president, Accord/Hart& Associates "A very clear and comprehensive guide to harnessing the creativepotential of diverse work environments, written by authors withover seventy years of relevant collective experience."--Cynthia J. Chataway, York University, Toronto

• Preface. Acknowledgments. PART ONE:HOW CONFLICT CAN LEAD TO CREATIVITY. 1. Conflict in Organizations. 2. Managing Organizational Conflict. 3. Creative Resolution of Conflict. PART TWO: ENHANCING CREATIVITY THROUGH CONFLICT. 4. Conflict: The Oxygen of Creativity? 5. Creative Contention. 6. Playing with Fire? 7. From Conflict to Creativity. References. Resource Guide to Materials on Conflict, Creativity, andTeams. About the Authors. Index.