Tim Scudder - Have a Nice Conflict: How to Find Success and Satisfaction in the Most Unlikely Places

Praise for Have a Nice Conflict

The authors seek to empower readers to become masters of their own conflict and control their own lives. Have a Nice Conflict is a powerful read for anyone who wants to be able to diffuse life's conflicts more effectively.

The Midwest Book Review

In telling the story of John Doyle, Have a Nice Conflict gives us an everyman who faces the same conflictslarge and smallthat each of us experiences every day at home and in the workplace. Enter Dr. Mac, a combination of Marley's ghost, Yoda, and Peter Drucker to guide Johnand usthrough critical lessons in how to recognize, categorize, and deal with these conflicts. Within the context of an easy-to-read, enjoyable story, the authors provide valuable lessons that everyone who manages or works with people should know.

Mark Allen, professor, Graziadio School of Business and Management, Pepperdine University; author, The Corporate University Handbook

This book gives a positive and easy-to-remember methodology to deal with conflicts, both large and small.

Peggy Thurmond, former CFO, McGladrey Capital Markets

Have a Nice Conflict does a superb job of distilling key personnel concepts into a succinct format that will be of great benefit to managers and employees alike. This narrative volume presents the enduring management principles of psychologist Elias Porter in an eminently sensible and approachable way. The authors use a case example to illuminate fundamental concepts in a manner that is both compelling and readable. A definite addition to the personnel management bookshelf.

Morgan T. Sammons, dean, California School of Professional Psychology

With many of the latest popular business books, I fail to make the link from theory to the practical application of their contents, but because of the storybook format and application to relationships beyond business, the link from theoretical to practical in Have a Nice Conflict was obvious. Once I began seeing myself in the behaviors of one of the main characters, I couldn't put it down. Have a Nice Conflict heightened my understanding of Relationship Awareness Theory and kindled a desire to learn more!

Jonathan McGrael, director, training and development, Arbor Pharmaceuticals

A gem! This book is packed with secrets for resolving conflict and attaining success. Read it now!

Mike Song, coauthor, The Hamster Revolution: Manage Your Email Before It Manages You

Turning conflict into opportunity is a blend of skill and art best not left to learning by trial and costly error. The authors brilliantly take you through John Doyle's personal and professional journey. I found myself putting the insights to use the same day I read the book!

Ron Campbell, president, Center for Leadership Studies, Situational Leadership

The best learning comes from stories, and you will not want to put this story down. The book is well written and full of good wit, with memorable Relationship Awareness Theory throughout.

Susan M. Hahn, president, Swan Consulting Group, Inc.

Have a Nice Conflict is the perfect resource to use in working with student groups, faculty, and staff. The authors weave the theory and its practical application in a wonderful and humorous story. As the student disciplinary officer of the college, I find it also a helpful tool in mediating conflict to a successful outcome for all parties involved.

Nikki Schaper, associate dean, student services, MiraCosta College

This engaging book wonderfully illustrates skills that will help you turn the conflicts of your daily life into seeds of positive changeand it shows you how to do it!

Tony LoRe, CEO, founder, Youth Mentoring Connection/Urban Oasis

Copyright 2011, 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Previously copyright by Personal Strengths Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file with the Library of Congress.

ISBN 978-1-118-20276-0 (cloth); ISBN 978-1-118-21927-0 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-118-21937-9 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-118-21939-3 (ebk)

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, this book would not have been possible without the invaluable and practical theory of relationship awareness developed by Elias H. Porter (19141987). Each of us has devoted a significant portion of our careers applying these concepts with people in all walks of life and all types of organizations. We are most grateful to the many people who invited us into their organizations and allowed us to learn with them on difficult interpersonal conflicts.

Tim Scudder

Michael Patterson

Kent Mitchell

About the Authors

Tim Scudder, CPA, is the president of Personal Strengths Publishing, Inc., and has consulted with the organization development, training, and human resources departments of many corporate, government, education, and nonprofit organizations. The author of several experiential training programs, Tim is a founding director of the Center for the Development of the Leaders at the California School of Professional Psychology. He lives in Carlsbad, California, with his wife and three daughters.