This is the preface of the second edition of
Managing Differences: How to Build Better Relationships at Work and Home
by Daniel Dana, Ph.D., which is used as a sourcebook for workplace mediation training seminars.
For more information contact the Mediation Training Institute International.
Since Managing Differences first appeared in 1989, thousands of people have learned the 4-step Self Mediation method and applied it in their everyday- lives. Owing to its publication in several languages, and its English-language distribution in Asia, Africa, and Australia, we are now confident of the cross-cultural effectiveness of this simple communication tool. And, Managing Differences has been adopted as a textbook for courses at colleges and universities and used as a sourcebook for corporate training and continuing education programs in North America, Europe, South Africa, and Latin America. Consequently, our understanding of how and why Self Mediation works has greatly improved in the past seven years.
The second edition of Managing Differences reflects this improved understanding. Several sections have been extensively revised. And, some cases are enclosed in Appendix 3 that were written by readers who provided reports about their experiences using Self Mediation and Managerial Mediation. Finally, the second edition ends with a discussion of "Common Courtesy," pointing the way toward even more "user friendly" mediation tools for everyday life.
So it is my hope that the second edition constitutes an even more valuable resource to empower even more people to act proactively in improving the important relationships in their lives – at work and home. The past success and the future promise of this practical communication tool reaffirms my commitment to a career of helping people realize the potential of their relationships, making their organizations more effective, their communities more satisfying, and their lives more fulfilling.
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