From Conflict to Community: Transforming Conflicts Without Authorities

by Gwendolyn Olton

Conflict is our living rooms, our streets, our community organizations, and every corner of the internet. But few of us have the training to successfully intervene or resolve these conflicts. In these pages, experienced peacemaker Gwendolyn Olton shows you how to use your existing skills and intuition to transform a wide variety of conflicts from insurmountable impasses to working relationships where everyone's needs are met. The result is a practical, kind, realistic guidebook for anyone who's found themselves in a conflict (their own or someone else's) and wondered, "How did we get here and what can I do to make it better!?"The book is broken up into three learn the basics of conflicts, help others work out their conflicts, and finally, resolve and heal the conflicts in your own life. Filled with real life examples and thought-provoking scenarios, Olton offers a variety of conflict analysis and conversation tools that you can use to navigate the most challenging interpersonal dynamics, and to better understand yourself and others along the way--all without calling HR or the cops.

Genres: Nonfiction

191 pages, Paperback

Published December 27, 2022

Reviews

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is easy to read, explains any jargon or technical terms and has a great use of footnotes. It has changed me for the better. It know it sounds hyperbolic, but I am not the same person I was before I read this amazing book.

[Liza · Rating 2 out of 5]

4.5/10. There were some gems in it, but overall it really didn't vibe with me as a PDAuDHD'er.

It didn't seem to take Neurodivergent communication styles into account at all, although I did dip out about 43% of the way through.

I was hoping it would be about helping conflict in the community generally, not just with people you know. There was bits about it, but the strategies and exampleds focused more on interpersonal relationships, friends, family, colleagues, etc, rather than helping in a conflict between people you don't know well. But to be fair, that was partly a me issue, I'm sure someone looking for the book it is rather than what I thought it would be might find it more helpful.

Some of the quotes I really loved were;

(On the subject of how war, conflict, and conflict resolution etc is taught in schools) "There are some cases of people using tactics other than violence and war to solve national or global problems, but these are usually done by remarkable individuals who are special and different from the rest of us".

I thought this quote was very accurate - a populace that isn't at each others' throats, that is accurately educated without bias about their and other countries' pasts, and that helps each other as default, no matter our differences - this is a populace much less likely to accept poor, cruel, or tyrannical governance.

"Rather than a third party that is neutral, it might be more productive and helpful for us to have third parties that care for the needs of all; or are multipartial."

[Kristofer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a great entry level book, but I didn't get as much out of as I hoped.