Interacting with people brings problems with people. The closer the contact, the greater the potential for conflict. In How to Solve Your People Problems, Dr. Alan Godwin shares biblical, practical principles to help readers avoid conflict when possible and handle difficult encounters constructively. The key to healthy, growing relationships is successfully handling differences. Dr. Godwin gives readers the tools and the framework This valuable resource will help readers successfully live and work with others, know how to implement conflict resolution, negotiate problem areas, and create positive connections even when people disagree.
This book filled the gap for me between Crucial Conversations and Boundaries (Cloud and Townsend). Godwin taught me how to recognize the difference between what he calls an Unreasonable Person, and a Reasonable Person who is in a heightened emotional state because of the subject. His descriptions of the four types of Drama--Master, Messiah, Martyr, and Mute--is simple enough to remember, yet seems to cover the whole space of unreasonableness.
The right assessment is very important, because it seems that the way to relate well with an upset but reasonable person is very different from the way to relate well with an unreasonable one. Skillful and continued dialogue helps with the former, and just seems to fuel the drama with the latter. Godwin gave me a framework to cover it all, while most negotiation and conflict books seem to assume one or the other.
This book includes basics about dealing with people, so for me I didn't learn much that was new. However, I liked how the author packaged the parts about reasonable people having certain muscles and how unreasonable people do not have those. For people who are in dramatic, toxic relationships, I often suggest they read The Dance of Anger. I would now say this book also helps by framing some of the same logic in a different way. It also has some good advice for married couples on making sure your arguments are productive.
This book was well written and an easy read but I think it was a bit over generalizing. I think everyone can be reasonable and unreasonable at different times. I read this book to help cope with my level 2 spouse but found myself being a level 1 sometimes myself and couldn’t imagine anyone not being a level 1 at least at times. Interesting, but not as eye opening as I expected.
Looking for help in your most frustrating relationships? This book is loaded with wisdom and takeaways that will truly make a difference in your peace level. The principles are biblically based and backed up by years of research. Excellent advice for those who are seeking help in difficult situations with all types of people.
Differentiating between reasonable and unreasonable people was extremely helpful in thinking about conflict resolution. Very practical with loads of examples to make the points. Highly recommend this book to anyone who has difficult people in their lives.
Great book on conflict. As a chronic people pleaser, I am terrible with conflict so it was super helpful for me to read. Also allowed me to figure out how to deal with difficult relationships and see things from a different perspective.
This book was recommended to me by a counselor and I found it incredibly practical and helpful for dealing with some thorny conflict issues which have baffled me for years.
I found this book useful in dealing with certain people. Very practical advice. Hard for me to get through....being difficult, I guess. Anyway....it is a helpful book.
Refreshing to have confirmed that there are people who simply cannot be reasoned with! For unreasonable people, who may be at various levels of unreasonableness, there are practical strategies to limit damage they can do. Interesting and logical approach. I feel relieved somehow knowing this.
Extremely worth the read! Will help anyone and everyone with simple conflict but most of all, it will help you deal with unreasonable people and their drama.