Book Review

Constructive Conflict Management: Managing to Make a Difference (1995) Crawley, J., London: Nicholas Brealey Publishing

This book is written specifically for managers and tries to answer the question – “How can you find ways of resolving conflict so that people are able to express and work through their differences without the risk of or the necessity to damage one another? He draws on a wide range of research and experience in delineating skills and he demonstrates how these can be used through a series of typical conflict scenario case studies that one might encounter in the course of managing. His focus is primarily on the interpersonal dimension while emphasising the need for self-awareness and understanding, the importance of sharpening perception and building a repertoire of skills. He regards responding positively to people and situations as a fair and proper expectation of any manager and sees conflict as being the situation in which it is most difficult to maintain this stance. He uses the explosive metaphor for the way we often handle conflict – i.e. destructively, and offers an interesting alternative focused on controlling the temperature and building relationship. As with many of these books, the approach outlined looks disarmingly simple. However here, the complexity and subtlety of the approach comes to life through the numerous case studies. The book provides a valuable start for skills building and an aid to continuing reflective practice with many valuable insights into conflict and its management. I think however, that many managers would need a workshop or coaching to get the most from it.

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