Business Book Club
The Coward's Guide to Conflict
by Tim Ursiny
Buy book: $11.37

Success coach Dr. Tim Ursiny shows us that, yes, conflict can be a good thing, and facing up to it can lead to fantastic results! The Coward’s Guide to Conflict gives strength, techniques, motivations and challenges to the people who need it most. With an open, step-by-step approach, it shows you how to prepare, maintain your integrity and work toward resolution.

Some of the business books we read seem to be the same. This one, though, seems different. I like the way he owns up to the fact that he dislikes conflict and that even those people who are successful dislike conflict. I hope the rest of this week's reads shed some valuable insight on dealing with difficult people. Maybe I can use his tips on some of my difficult relatives (Thanksgiving is just around the corner).

I think I'll really enjoy this book! I just wish he had chosen a different title for it, if he had, I'd recommend this for our EAP office. However, with the title it has, I have a feeling my supervisor wouldn't be too keen on having it here (she focuses on empowerment and positive self thinking, so something like Coward's Guide tends to promote a more negative thought).

I look forward to the rest of this week! I'm sure I'm going to learn something. :)

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"What wild desires, what restless torments seize
The hapless man, who feels the book-disease..."
- Dr. John Ferriar (from the poem Bibliomania, 1863)

After reading today's excerpts, I realize how much I tend to avoid any type of conflict, to the detriment of myself and others.

I'm going to have to get this one from the library and will also have to recommend it to for our office library. I think it's a great book to help people realize that they aren't alone in thinking they dislike conflict and I have a feeling there will be good examples on how to deal with situations as we progress.


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"What wild desires, what restless torments seize
The hapless man, who feels the book-disease..."
- Dr. John Ferriar (from the poem Bibliomania, 1863)

If only I had read a book like this years ago! It has taken me all my life so far to learn that conflict might not always be bad.

I'll definitely read this one.

I really like what I have read so far in this book. I particularly like the author's sense of humor (e.g., for the low scorers on the quiz - "What? Did you buy this book for a friend?").

It is refreshing to see someone who finally admits that most of us dislike conflict but who has a way of letting you laugh at your hangups. Suddenly, my fear of conflict doesn't loom so large, and I feel like I can get a better handle on it.

I hope my library has this one, but I have a feeling I'll end up buying it as a resource.

This book is really interesting and full of knowledge.
Things that we know, but do not follow. It has a different approach of inculcating those habits in our behaviours, thereby improving the way we deal with conflicts...

Thumbs up !!

So far we've identified the problem. I hope this week's reading brings us at least one solution. A copy has just been ordered for my library.

So far I like what I am reading. I like the title of this book, it definitely peaked my interest enough to continue reading.

Conflict is a part of life, so to be able to deal with it more effectively definitely interests me. The knee-jerk reaction isn't usually the best response nor is total passivity. I am going to see if our library has a copy and reserve mine today.