Turn Enemies Into Allies

"Ringer's blend of conflict resolution approaches with aikido practices enriches and deepens our understanding of human interaction. I see things I've been teaching for decades in a new light, and am grateful for the wisdom she so generously shares." --Sheila Heen, Co-author of Difficult Conversations and Thanks for the FeedbackSheila Heen "Every workplace sees conflict from time to time. How you handle it, what you do with it, is what counts. Judy Ringer has a unique approach to conflict resolution, stemming from her experience as an expert in the martial art of aikido. In this book, you'll find clear-cut advice on how to handle workplace conflict from a place of positive energy." --Daniel H. Pink, author of To Sell is Human and DriveDaniel H. Pink Marshall Goldsmith "Judy is a master at helping people to transform conflict into powerful relationships. Her very useful guide will provide the tools to change intractable situations into high-level teamwork and unimaginable possibilities. Let Judy teach you to dance on the ever- shifting carpet of relationships." --Thomas Crum, author of Three Deep Breaths, Journey to Center, and The Magic of ConflictThomas Crum "When two people don't get along, you can't just put them into a room and hope for the best, or assign them to a project and insist they work together. All relationships have some conflict, and some relationships are subject to deep conflicts. Addressing destructive behavior related to conflict is important. And addressing conflict when it happens, in a way that builds connection, collegiality, and allows individuals to share vulnerabilities takes time and nurturing. Judy Ringer has a way of working with individuals in conflict so that the relationship (assuming all parties want this) becomes healthy. That said, we need conflict! But we don't need destructive behavior that sometimes accompanies conflict. Anyone in business can tell you that individuals with healthy relationships, even in the midst of conflict, create a highly productive and psychologically safe environment at work, when they know how to work through the conflict appropriately. Judy's work provides solid recommendations, practical advice, and methods to address conflict--the book provides great insights to help rid organizations of behavior and approaches that can harm or destroy relationships." --Connie Roy-Czyzowski, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CCP, Vice President Human Resources, Northeast Delta DentalConnie Roy-Czyzowski "Workplaces are designed for conflict. They bring together competing interests of customers, designers, marketers, engineers, manufacturers and budgets. This book provides practical and easily implemented ways to allow these conflicts to be productive and relationship building. I highly recommend the book and hope that its insights leak into the larger arena of our civic and political dialogue. In the end, our way of life may depend on our capacity to trust and cooperate with strangers. The ideas in this book take us in that direction." --Peter Block, author of Flawless Consulting, Stewardship, and CommunityPeter Block "This brilliant book has a wealth of material-insights, processes and practices for anyone who is engaged in coaching people who don't get along. Judy offers powerful tools using concepts and principles taken from the martial art of aikido. Drawing from her experience on the aikido mat and as a coach in organizations she has laid out the coaching process in clear, concise and accessible steps that will help anyone move from conflict towards resolution. I appreciate that her intention is to go beyond organizational coaching, she is also emphasizing, "… teaching skills that will support the parties ever after in all areas of life." A great contribution." --Wendy Palmer, author of Leadership EmbodimentWendy Palmer