Getting to resolution

Fighting it out tends to be expensive. Confrontational approaches eat up time, money, and energy, and because neither party walks away truly satisfied, the dispute often returns later under a new guise. Stewart Levine proposes a "resolutionary" approach that asks more of both sides than splitting the difference or giving in. Its ten guiding principles aim to halt anger and resentment and help people rebuild relationships that work well, feel rewarding, and serve their purpose.

At the heart of the method is a seven-step conversation. Levine designed it to protect people's dignity and integrity, to make efficient use of resources, and to give every concern a hearing, so that each one is acknowledged, respected, and built into the final agreement.

This second edition has been substantially reworked. It includes fresh examples and practical tools, along with new material on communication, building trust, and collaborating across distance, plus a broader international perspective.