PEACEFUL ENCOUNTERS

by John Goulet , illustrated by Alexander T. Lee ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

A concise, illustrated conflict-resolution handbook.

In his slim nonfiction debut, Goulet centers on the roots of conflicts with the aim of providing basic, common-sense resolutions: “The goal of a well working relationship is not the absence of conflict or differences,” he writes, “it’s the ability of couples to resolve these problems so they can move on and enjoy being together.” The author, a marriage and family therapist with 30 years of experience, takes readers through a simplified breakdown of the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Model, briefly elaborating on its five conflict styles—avoiding, accommodating, compromising, competing, and collaborating—with successful and unsuccessful scenarios clearly illustrated in Lee’s (The Puppy Explorer, 2018, etc.) black-and-white pen-and-ink drawings. Goulet stresses simple, straightforward techniques, from mirroring (in which one partner repeats back what the other has said, not to challenge it, but to hear it clearly) to negotiation and meaningful compromise, and he also explores common mistakes, such as interrupting, stating problems in vague and unhelpful terms, or indulging in anger. Indeed, one of the book’s main themes is that anger—or rather, the improper expression of it—never helps a situation. Goulet advises readers to be mindful of their own feelings in order to better understand how situations can affect them in subtle ways. The author’s direct, plainspoken language combines very effectively with Lee’s simple illustrations to produce a highly accessible guide to basic couples-conflict resolution. It portrays everyday scenes, such as sharing household chores or deciding on a restaurant, in ways that readers will find instantly recognizable, and Goulet’s suggestions for how to handle arising conflicts are encouragingly basic. It may seem oversimplified at times, but it is, at its heart, an entry-level assessment of communication problems, with no digressions into more complex interrelations of the Thomas-Kilmann model. It serves as a useful reminder that relationship problems can sometimes be fairly easy to resolve.

A clear and readable introduction to building healthier relationships through better communication.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: 978-1-73391-921-0

Page Count: 63

Publisher: Time Tunnel Media

Review Posted Online: June 11, 2019

Review Program: Kirkus Indie

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION