PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Very often phenomena that appear “too good to be true” simply are – not true. Guided by this instinct when first reading this book, I challenged Jan Atle Andersen. But instead of having my doubts confirmed, I experienced a miracle when observing Jan Atle Andersen facilitating a conflict resolution process in which he helped a work group to resolve a conflict that they had been struggling with for many years. But one doubt remained: how long will it last, when will the “war” break out again?

After checking with a number of references, all of whom confirmed that Jan Atle helps people to achieve peace, not just a ceasefire, I gratefully accepted Jan Atle’s invitation to learn about conflict resolution facilitation from him.

In bringing this book to an English-speaking audience I hope to spread Jan Atle Andersen’s findings in order for more people to make themselves a better life at work and elsewhere.

The process of conflict resolution facilitation needs to undergo a transformation. By demonstrating time and time again that conflicts really can be resolved within THREE DAYS, we are at the forefront of this important task, both for the benefit of the people involved and for the benefit of our clients’ businesses! There is currently an irony in the conflict consulting business: the more ineffective/inefficient the consultant is, the more time he spends and the bigger the invoice becomes – sometimes even without the client getting what he ordered in the first place! Let us hope that lengthy processes – or, even worse, replacements, reorganizations and dismissals – as “conflict resolution methods” will soon be history.

Stocksund, Sweden, August 2008.

Nicklas Andén
Publisher and conflict resolution facilitator, MSc, MBA

More reviews recieved in 2005

“The best book I have read to date on the subject of conflict resolution. Not to be recommended for those who are afraid of recognising their own faults, but essential reading if you truly want to resolve your conflicts.”
Martin Kreuger, Editor-in-Chief, “Chef” management magazine

“Not only does this book offer valuable advice and smart guidance for effective conflict resolution, it also challenges the reader to search himself, providing new insights.”
Nina Hornewall, Managing Director, Vasakronan Service Partner AB

“Almost 30 years of experience in employment law has taught me that underlying conflicts are not resolved by legal rulings, even if I win the case for my client. The parties involved in a legal dispute are perhaps both losers, regardless of the outcome. This book confirms, explains and clarifies what I have learnt thus far about the mechanisms at work behind conflicts in the workplace, and provides wonderful moments of realisation on a human level. Straight to the point, with a few uncomfortable truths, all served up with a generous portion of humour. On a deeper level, the book offers a few eye-openers for the benefit of the reader.”
Björn-Erik Björck, Legal Advisor, Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers