Reviews and Comments for:
Conflict, Meetings, and Difficult People

Malia Cohen, President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
I read Conflict, Meetings, and Difficult People in its entirety. It’s a great read.
     I’ve used some of the suggestions in our Board meetings—such as how to handle difficult personalities. We recently had a meeting on a complex race-related hiring issue. There was a lot of anxiety and angst around the topic. I introduced the 4-step problem-solving method and found it to be very helpful in guiding our conversation to a meaningful outcome. These are good tools to know. They will help anyone grow as a leader. Thank you.

Kate Sears, Supervisor, District 3, Marin County, California
This is a good, practical guide for public officials at all levels, enriched by real insights into how to manage conflicts and effectively explore common ground.
     I particularly appreciate the emphasis on building relationships, creating a more interactive decision-making process, and minimizing misunderstanding by recognizing the different ways each of us sees problems and makes decisions. A helpful guide for those new to public service, as well as experienced members of boards and commissions.

Bill Ahern, Executive Director, CA State Public Utilities Commission
This guide is as useful to agency employees as it is to elected or appointed public officials.

Don Bradley, PhD, MCP, AICP, Chair, Planning Commission, City of San Carlos, California
This short book (96 pages plus appendixes) offers many tools to bring clear and concise communication to official meetings. . . . His 4-Step Decision Process (Pages 46-47 and 100-101) is a jewel. . . . I recommend this book for anyone who wants to improve meetings while eschewing and deflecting power plays.