Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors 1. Conflict and the Six-C Process Introduction Research and Anecdotal Support What Is Unique About This Book? The Six-C Process The Conciliation Capstone Saving Time and Energy Conflict Is Inevitable The Use and Misuse of Power The Democratic Ideal Why Everyone Matters The Perceptual Tradition When Viewpoints Conflict Acceptance Versus Agreement Summary Major Themes 2. Concern Latent Concerns Actionable Concerns What Is a Concern? What Are Moral and Ethical Concerns? What Are Your Concerns? Potential Concerns at School Potential Concerns at Home Potential Concerns in the Community Summary Major Themes 3. Confer Setting the Stage for Conferring Can You Express Your Concern Clearly? Can You Look Beyond the Immediate Concern? Is There Room for Compromise or Re-Conceptualization? The Value of Seeking Commitment Helpful Communication Skills The 3+++wish? Formula Practicing the 3+++wish? Formula Handling Challenges Summary Major Themes 4. Consult Considering the Situation What Is a Consulting Relationship? Using a Triangular Structure Involving Others in a Consultation Sequential Steps for Consulting Practicing the Consulting Sequence Summary Major Themes 5. Confront Questions to Ask Yourself Difference Between Conflict and Confrontation Understanding Confrontation Adapting Constructive Confrontation Applying Practical Tips Major Themes 6. Combat Constraints on Combat The Use of Power Increasing Chances for a Desirable Outcome Taking a Stand Civilized Dissent Summary Major Themes 7. Conciliation and Beyond Conciliation After Combat Conciliation as a Reflective Process Beyond Conciliation Summary Major Themes References and Resources Index
"The Six-C approach provides a framework within which people can work together to attack the problem, not each other. By ending each conflict with conciliation, those who use this approach can do much more than resolve conflict-they can build each other up so future conflicts will be easier to resolve." -Bob Bowen, Chief Executive Officer The Mandt System, Inc. Don't let conflict get in the way of meaningful collaboration! Conflict is inevitable, but educators can work together effectively if they understand how to defuse difficult situations before they escalate. This resource describes the Six-C process, a conflict resolution method that allows educators to take progressively more assertive steps as necessary to resolve disagreements. Based on research and easy to remember, this approach helps readers handle challenging situations using the least amount of time and energy. Illustrated with many examples and scenarios, the six steps are: Concern: identifying actionable concerns Confer: expressing concerns in nonthreatening ways Consult: reviewing and clarifying the situation collaboratively Confront: considering consequences and giving clear warnings Combat: taking sustained, logical action Conciliation: mending the wounds and restoring relationships Focused on preserving relationships while resolving disagreements, From Conflict to Conciliation can be used in any situation or setting, from the classroom to the community.
William Watson Purkey is professor emeritus of counselor education at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and co-founder of The International Alliance for Invitational Education (R). A noted author, researcher, speaker, and leader, Purkey has authored nearly 100 articles and more than a dozen books. John J. Schmidt is professor emeritus of counselor education at East Carolina University, where he chaired the department for fourteen years. Author of more than 50 professional articles and nearly 20 books and manuals, Schmidt is a national certified counselor and a licensed professional counselor in North Carolina. John M. Novak is professor and former chair of Graduate Studies in Education at Brock University, Canada. An invited keynote speaker on six continents, Novak is the author of numerous articles, book chapters, and ten books and monographs. He is the past president of the Society of Professors of Education.