CRACKING THE HARMONY CODE: Nature's Surprising Secrets for Getting Along While Getting Your Way

by Camilla Gray-Nelson

177 pages, Paperback

Published March 31, 2021

Reviews

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Cracking The Harmony Code, Camilla Gray-Nelson gives is what she has learned about Nature’s Surprising Secrets for Getting Along While Getting Your Way. In this book she is sharing with each of us Nature’s amazing secrets for maintaining social harmony—a harmony necessary for pursuing personal goals that require willing cooperation from others.

Through her experience the author says that: I have come to realize that despite intelligence and socialization, we humans are still members of the Animal World! Hidden deep within us seem to lurk the verysame instincts that drive and influence our dog’s behaviors and, for that matter, the behaviors of many other social mammals.

I have to say the authors influence through instinct method as she teaches readers through Nature’s Harmony Pyramid is interesting and I believe can help everyone in our relationships in our workplaces as well as with friends and family at home. I found this pyramid an interesting way to look at these issues. It’s all laid out there for us. I challenge you to pick up a copy of this book and read it for yourself. If everyone climbs this pyramid and the teachings along the way, we can help our world be a better place.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. The opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[LAWonder10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the book, 'Cracking the Harmony Code', author, Camilla Gray-Nelson, made a strong argument in support of her experience and findings of a positive relation formula. She stands on a position that human behavior reflects the behavior of animal's. Through her observations and studies, she feels the same methods used in animal training will assist human's understanding of each other. I particularly liked it when referencing societies push for women;s leadership she stated. "... As if only by improving leadership skills can a woman hope to get where she wants professionally or manage to get what she wants personally. Baloney!" She then proceeds with her argument that certain personality types are successful without being "leaders'.
I, too, was raised on a farm, fairly isolated from other children. Animals and nature were my best friends, also. I love nature and have observed and studied much of it. I also have closely observed animals (and some insects) mannerisms and habits. Although I agree in a large part with her understanding and methods, I felt some of her research material was weak. While many scientists and researchers can conclude reactions and other observations of animals, there is no way anyone can make factual conclusions what animals think or feel. I felt stronger emphasis needed to be made that humans are defined by intelligence enough to learn control of their instincts, desires, behavior and impulses. great people such as Jesus Christ, Confucius, Aristotle, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and more.
In her book, Camille makes valid comparisons and formulas in creating strong relationships. She offers precise, positive ways for individuals to determine their own personality type and ways to interact with others to accomplish goals. She gives various examples for various situations at work, in the home with children and to bid a positive relationship with spouse/partner.
Although at times her presentation was weak in persuasion of her beliefs, her methods and possibilities of a positive outcome were solid and clear.

*I was gifted this book with no pressure for a positive review. This is my honest review.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Camilla’s first sentence in her Introduction.

"As we all are, I am a product of my past and the sum of my experiences."

Simple, yet profound. And my next quote comes from Why I Wrote This Book.

"The secrets, it turned out, were the Animal World all around me. In that moment of realization, I began to crack the Harmony Code. I felt like Dorothy in the final scene of The Wizard of Oz, when she realized she didn’t need to look any further than her own backyard to find true happiness."

And those introductions lead to my thoughts regarding this very original book. It’s filled with examples of her observances of farm animal behavior as well as personal testimonies. And if you’re like me, those two things take a book from being more of a fact-filled text book to a meaningful story that is filled with facts.

Now that has to feel vague, but her way of explaining our feelings and reactions is through interesting examples. In the case of this book, I feel short excerpts might make it clearer.

Chapter Three includes these fun examples:

Bessy-Boss: The Quietly Fearless Leader
Ritzi-Rude: The Emotional Over-Reactor
Scaredy-Cat: The Unsure Avoider
Nellie-Nice: The Trustworthy Queen of Influence.
Now doesn’t that help? You can easily see that this book contains helpful information that is both interesting, and fun. Yet, hopefully, it will help influence our reactions and understanding of our daily interactions with people.

What Concerned Me
Nothing comes to mind.

Final Thoughts
This 190-page book is set up for easy reading with short chapters and formatting that has headlines throughout making it attractive and appealing to the eye.

Camilla Gray-Nelson’s thoughts are worthwhile and indeed interesting. (Ahem, though I have to admit that I may visualize some interesting animals next time I talk with friends. Just kidding. Maybe.)

My thanks to iRead Book Tours and the author for a copy of this book and the ability to freely post my opinion.

[Grace Marciano · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Cracking the Harmony Code, Camilla Gray-Nelson presents to us the Harmony Pyramid which she developed borne of her own personal relationship experiences. Just like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid in achieving personal fulfillment, Gray-Nelson’s Harmony Pyramid has 6 stages of awareness and action towards the fulfillment of harmony in our social relationships. In her book, the author walks us through these different stages of getting along successfully with a diverse population that we deal with everyday and how to come up with our own solutions for every sort of relationship dilemma -at home, at school, at work, within our own circle of friends, everywhere. By applying the methods and approaches she suggested for us , and by learning from the insights in her book, Cracking the Harmony Code, the author hopes that it would “open the door to a new person and a happier life with those around us.”

This book is an essential guide for reflecting on life, work, and issues concerning ourselves and our relationships, gaining new perspectives, and positive behavior and values relative to our situations. She introduces realistic and simple ways to approach challenges in everyday experiences. Here, too, Camilla invites us to look into our personal position while she shares her wisdom and insights in her own personal journey which makes this book enlightening. Our relationships are always marked by conflicts, misunderstanding, miscommunications, etc. but the most significant action we can make, Camilla explains, is to take the “journey of understanding and action.” And with the new perspectives learned, “you will learn what could likely be the underlying reasons behind all sorts of problem behaviors and how you could solve these problems once and for all.“

Facilitators and counselors will also find this book an enriching material to complement their own activities for seminars or counseling.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cracking the Harmony Code: Nature's Surprising Secrets for Getting Along While Getting Your Way is an insightful book by Camilla Gray-Nelson. It provides information, tips and advice on how to deal with certain personal connections. I was not sure about it at first. The writing style is different and guidance given took me a bit to getting used to. Once I caught on, I was hooked and understood as to what was going. It really turned out to be quite the perceptive read. My favorite part was The Harmony Pyramid, which consisted of Trust, Situational Awareness, Personal Boundaries, Acceptance, Social Success, and Harmony. This book gave me a lot to think about within my own current life situations and rethink about how I should go about them. I began to learn more about myself and what I need to do to improve. It made me feel empowered and inspired to move on from certain toxic relationships without having any kind of guilt.

I am giving Cracking the Harmony Code: Nature's Surprising Secrets for Getting Along While Getting Your Way four stars. I would recommend it for readers who are looking for new ways to look at their own personal relationships. I would be interested in more books like this by Camilla Gray-Nelson in the future.

I received a paperback copy of Cracking the Harmony Code: Nature's Surprising Secrets for Getting Along While Getting Your Way from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Kameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Score 3.5
I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours.
I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.



Introduction:

There were several fascinating animal facts in this section of Cracking The Harmony Code: Nature’s Surprising Secrets for Getting Along While Getting Your Way by Camilla Gray-Nelson. For example, I had no idea “ravens call their friends by name” or that “horses feel shame.” It makes you wonder how researchers discovered these two things.

Also found in this section, Camilla Gray-Nelson admits she’s failed many times over in life. However, she’s learned from her mishaps. In life, that’s how we move forward in a positive way. We learn from our failings/mistakes and strive not to make them again.



Part One & Part Two:

Trust is essential in any relationship. It’s the building block in any relationship. Without it, the foundation is not solid; therefore, harmony can not be achieved. It makes complete sense why trust is the first tier on The Harmony Pyramid in Cracking The Harmony Code: Nature’s Surprising Secrets for Getting Along While Getting Your Way.


This book discusses how to handle many personal and workplace obstacles.

*looking for a raise

*handle workplace drama

*underperforming workers

*losing authoritative control

*disrespectful child

*trouble with the spouse

*and the list goes on…

Some solutions to work or at-home problems are pretty much common sense. Be firm, but be fair. For example, if your child doesn’t listen, then restrict access to their favorite activity. Yelling, at home or at work, is never the answer. It does not yield the results you’re looking to achieve.

While not everything will apply to everyone, I think most people could benefit from one section or another. If you’re a new parent, recently married, or about to be either of those two things, check out the areas about how to keep things copacetic in your home. If you’re new to office life or in a management role, Camilla Gray-Nelson might have the key to help you achieve harmony in the office.

Please pick it up, and use it anytime you’re feeling unbalanced in life. Maybe it’ll get you back on track to living a more harmonious life.


(Find more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)

[Theodene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone has relationship issues at some point, whether it’s at work, school, socially, or with family. We all go through it! When I saw this book available to read and review, I took it as a hint that I needed to read it and try these tips and suggestions on my own relationships!

Cracking the Harmony Code by Camilla Gray-Nelson is a quick and easy read that’s quite informative and includes examples and suggestions! The Harmony Code mentioned in this book is similar to that of the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and various tiers for better relationships, no matter what the setting. The author shares how we are animals by nature and have instinctual and natural tendencies like the animals around us. Many of her comparisons revolve around her own pets.

While as humans we don’t like to be considered animals, in reality, we really are! This book refers to real relationships that readers can relate to and I found that easier to absorb and made the book easier to enjoy. This is a book that everyone who has any relationships with anyone should read! Does that mean everyone? Absolutely!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing I noticed as I read this book is that I quickly began watching the interactions between the fur residents of my household differently. I gave more thought to my interpretations of their motives and methods.
Next, I began to attribute characteristics to actions, trying to decide if something was a Bessy-Down or a Nellie-Up move. We do have one undeniable Rizzi- Rude in the house as well. And he rarely achieves what he desires or is best for him.
The book deals with more than animal behaviors and results. There s a section on getting netter results with and from co-workers or employees, and with children. There is even a chapter for the bedroom!

Learn the personality types and motivations as you move up the pyramid.
You will be surprised at the results you achieve!

[Book Dragons TBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this isn't a book in normally drawn to. However, once I started reading it I couldn't stop. It was enlightening, shocking but made complete sense. So now I will be trying to put everything I've learned into effect and see how different life can be. It's definitely worth checking out even if it's not something you would normally read. I think even if you don't use every method, you can still implement some and still get effects. You might be surprised at what you find out about yourself as well. Good read!

[Marilyn Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cracking the Harmony code is a short, focused read presenting the author's take on how social interactions - how they work, why they work the way they do, who the players are and how to navigate these interactions more effectively both at work in in your personal life.

The author came to these ideas through her life-long experiences dealing with and observing animals - first as a child growing up on a farm, and then as a professional dog trainer working with both animals and the families that owned them. From these observations she created a six tier harmony code, seven secrets of success and 4 animal archetypes and action styles.

I enjoyed reading her history in the beginning as it helped lay the ground work for what was to follow. There were several things I found interesting. First was the idea of society as the rungs on a vertical ladder. No two people can be same rung. Those you interact with are either above you or below you in terms of status. Knowing where each of you are can help guide you as you deal with those around you. I agreed totally when she shared not everyone can be a top dog, and that there are still effective ways to gain the things you want even if you are the underling. I feel we too often push everyone to be a top dog to be considered successful and that bodes badly for most work environments.

What didn't appeal to me as much were things like the cutesy names for the archetypes (Bessy-Boss, Ritzi-Rude, Scaredy-Cat, and Nellie-Nice). However, they were in line with the author's extensive background with animals, as was her use of examples from the animals she observed over the years to explain concepts.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

An educational book to read

I enjoyed reading this book. It is a fun and educational book to read. It is a short but sweet book to read and learned scenarios from family, relationships, and work.

My favorite part is part one in chapter three, the four animal archetypes and action styles. I am not a scaredy-cat but sometimes Bessy-Boss but mostly Nellie-Nice. I am not afraid to say something when I believe I am right and you step on my foot. I could be the nicest worker but mind you the nastiest too when I reach my boundary. I do my job and do not kiss someone's toes. I could be bossy if I found out you were working in my wing and do a crappy job.

The bad part of being Nellie-Nice is your boss expects too much from you. Sometimes, it is frustrating when you have too much work to do and too little time left to finish all the work in a certain time. This book is an eye-opener for me.