Deborah Smith Pegues, Confronting Without Offending: Positive and Practical Steps to Resolving Conflict. Harvest House Publishers, 2009. Referenced in: Conflict – Criticism, Difficult People, Difficult Conversations Strengths-Based Leadership, DISC Styles LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a practical guide to confrontation, laced with biblical principle. The book is divided into four parts. Part 1, Confrontation: The Bridge
Elizabeth B. Brown, Working Successfully With Screwed Up People. Revell, 2012 Referenced in: Criticism, Difficult People, Difficult Conversations LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is a popular, practical volume on work relationships with difficult people. It is especially good at expressing principles in memorable phrases and describing practices in a simple, executable manner. It contains unique chapters on
Larry Dressler, Standing in the Fire: Leading High-Heat Meetings with Clarity, Calm, and Courage. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2010. Referenced in: Criticism, Difficult People, Difficult Conversations Leadership, Preaching, Worship During Conflict LifeandLeadership.com Summary Leadership often involves bringing diverse groups together to pursue a common purpose. These high-stakes conversations are complex and emotional, but important. What is the
Dennis R. Maynard, When Sheep Attack. CreateSpace, 2010. Referenced in: Church Conflict, Difficult People Ministry Transitions LifeandLeadership.com Summary Maynard addresses what happens when a small group of antagonists maneuver successfully to completely derail a ministry, despite strong support from the vast majority of the congregation. This is not the norm, but neither is it uncommon,
Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton and Sheila Heen, Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most. 10th Anniversary Edition. Penguin (Non-Classics), 2010. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Criticism, Difficult People, Difficult Conversations LifeandLeadership.com Summary We all have difficult conversations, no matter how confident or competent we are. And too often, no matter what we try, things
Katherine Crowley and Kathie Elster, Working for You Isn’t Working for Me: The Ultimate Guide for Managing Your Boss. Portfolio Trade, 2010. Referenced in: Criticism, Difficult People and Conversations Leading in Subordinate Roles Ministry Staff and Leadership Teams LifeandLeadership.com Summary Not all church leaders will find themselves in the difficult relationships typical of the private
Ruth N. Koch and Kenneth C. Haugk, Speaking the Truth in Love: How to be an Assertive Christian. Stephen Ministries, 1992. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Criticism, Difficult People, Difficult Conversations LifeandLeadership.com Summary I have used this in classes as an excellent base-leve “how-to” guide on assertion. The authors define the difference between passive, aggressive,
Randy J. Paterson, Ph.D., The Assertiveness Workbook: How to Express Your Ideas and Stand Up for Yourself at Work and in Relationships. New Harbinger Publications, 2000. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Criticism, Difficult People, Difficult Relationships LifeandLeadership.com Summary This is an excellent workbook. It is just that, a workbook, and not something one should simply
Henry Cloud and John Townsend, How to Have That Difficult Conversation You’ve Been Avoiding: With Your Spouse, Adult Child, Boss, Coworker, Best Friend, Parent, or Someone You’re Dating. Zondervan, 2005. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Criticism, Difficult People, Difficult Conversations LifeandLeadership.com Summary From the authors of the million-copy bestseller, Boundaries. This is a very sensitive,
David Augsburger, Caring Enough to Hear and Be Heard. Regal Books, 1980. Referenced in: Church Conflict – Criticism, Difficult People, Difficult Conversations LifeandLeadership.com Summary Approaches the task of difficult conversations from the standpoint of both listening and speaking. Augsburger suggests six stages of such conversations: Listening: “Tell me again, I want to hear you,” Attending:
