E-Book Overview
From the multimillion-copy bestselling author ofThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, hailed as the #1 Most Influential Business Book of the Twentieth Century,The 3rd Alternativeintroduces a breakthrough approach to conflict resolution and creative problem solving. There are many methods of “conflict resolution,” but most involve compromise, a low-level accommodation that stops the fight without breaking through to new and innovative results.The 3rd Alternativeintroduces a breakthrough approach to conflict resolution and creative problem solving, transcending traditional solutions to conflict by forging a path toward a third option. A third alternative moves beyond your way or my way to a higher and better way—one that allows both parties to emerge from debate or even heated conflict in a far better place than either had envisioned. With the third alternative,nobodyhas to give up anything, andeveryonewins. Through key examples and stories from his work as a consultant, Covey demonstrates the power of 3rd Alternative thinking. His wide-ranging examples include a Canadian metropolitan police force that transformed a crime-plagued community; a judge who brought a quick, peaceful end to one of the biggest environmental lawsuits in American history without setting foot in a courtroom; the principal of a high school for children of migrant workers who raised their graduation rate from 30 percent to 90 percent; a handful of little-known people who are quietly finding new ways to bring peace to the Middle East; and many others. These various groups and individuals offer living examples of how to create new and better results instead of escalating conflict, as well as how to build strong relationships based on an attitude of winning together. Beyond conflict and compromise,The 3rd Alternativeunveils a radical, creative new way of thinking.
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PRAISE FOR THE 3rd ALTERNATIVE “You can ‘get’ Stephen Covey’s message in five pages—or less. But I dearly hope you will carefully read and apply every page. Stephen has given us a precious gift, but, like most profound ideas, it is the daily, conscious practice that can or will transform your life.” —Tom Peters, author of The Brand You 50 and Re-imagine: Business Excellence in a Disruptive Age “In this book, Covey reaches out way beyond his familiar domain, to the universe, and has come up with a social vaccine capable of addressing if not resolving the existential agonies and angst that we all face as individuals, as well as the organizations and societies that we work and live in. In this Olympiad vault, Covey has written his most ambitious and hopeful book, in my own view —a masterpiece to benefit all of us doing our best to live in peace and justice in this messy world.” —Warren Bennis, Distinguished Professor of Management, University of Southern California, and author of the memoir Still Surprised “A most compelling approach for addressing the most challenging issues of the day. It is an inarguable formula for success in the corporate world and beyond.” —Douglas R. Conant, retired CEO, Campbell Soup Company, and New York Times bestselling author “Dr. Covey has done it again. The 3rd Alternative is not only powerful reading, it answers some of life’s most challenging questions. A must-read for all future leaders.” —Jon M. Huntsman, Sr., executive chairman and founder of Huntsman Corporation
ALSO BY STEPHEN R. COVEY The 8th Habit The Leader in Me The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Predictable Results of Unpredicta