Joy of Conflict Resolution

Gary Harper is a respected trainer in the field of conflict resolution. With thirteen years experience as a facilitator and mediator, he has worked with thousands of people in a variety of different organizations, as well as presenting regularly at conferences. He teaches at the Justice Institute in Vancouver, and lives in Burnaby, BC.

"Gary's warmth, knowledge, and experience shine through this lively, fresh and inviting approach to conflict resolution. He guides us through the rough waters of conflict to the joy that comes when we connect deeper than our differences. Gary, is truly a Warrior of the Heart in every way."— Jerilyn Brusseau, Co-founder, PeaceTrees Vietnam"In language we can all understand and with situations we've all suffered through, Joy of Conflict is a must for employees, managers, parents and anyone who values their relationships with others."— Paul Choudhury, P.Eng. Manager, System Control, British Columbia Transmission Corporation"This book provides us with a new refreshing perspective, presenting difficult concepts in a very "user friendly" way which allows us to better understand the sources of conflict around us, providing practical tools that can be put to use by everyone. It is by far one of the best books I've seen on workplace conflict."— Jaylene Chew, Human Resources Professional"By using easy to relate to everyday stories, Gary encourages us to move from being 'stuck' in our reoccurring patterns of conflict. The opportunities to reflect and practice at the end of each chapter makes learning new ways to respond in conflict accessible to everyone."— Pam White, Director, Centre for Conflict Resolution Justice Institute of BC"Gary Harper's adroit use of the story-telling model and his common sense narrative approach casts a fresh perspective on the dynamics of conflict and is rich with the kind of insight that enhances problem-solving tool kits for organizations and individuals."— Kevin Evans, Vice President, Western Canada, Retail Council of Canada"This is a valuable read for anyone wanting a quick and accessible understanding of the conflict that has captured them and how to get out of it."— Gerald Monk, author of Narrative Mediation "The Joy of Conflict manages to open doors to the world of conflict and conflict resolution with humor, creativity and insight. It's an adventure in reading and reflection that I would recommend to anyone who lives or works with anyone else."— Michael Fogel, J.D., LL.B., M.Ed. (Counselling Psychology) former judge, presently a mediator and conflict resolution/leadership educator"The Joy of Conflict Resolution and its simple portrayal of victims, villains, and heroes has enabled me effectively address issues by being aware of the role I play during a conflict. Through Gary's illustrative humor, this book is an easy read and contains a wealth of information and tools on how to effectively deal with people. I think The Joy of Conflict Resolution would be a welcome addition to any technical support person's daily reading."— George Young, MCSE Bentall Capital, Manager, IT Infrastructure"Gary's story-telling approach transforms theory and experience into living colour. A wonderful approach of insight and skill development that I recommend without hesitation."— Neil Godin, President, Neil Godin International Ltd.

• Victims, Villains, and Heroes; Lessons from the Sandbox; Just Like the Movies; Welcome to Turm-Oil Inc; The Assumption Iceberg; The Wobbly Stool of Conflict; The Perils of Anger Mountain; Beware the Conflict Gremlins; The Power of Listening; Spinning The Straw of Defensiveness; Escaping The Trap of Positions; Probing The Depths of Conflict; Standing Up For Ourselves (Without Knocking The Other Person Down); The Road to Resolution; Tips for the Traveller; Index.