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How to Talk to Your Enemies: 101+ Ways to Turn Hostility into Peace
We live in a time of social and interpersonal conflict unprecedented since the upheavals of the 1960s—and perhaps even since the Civil War. Evolving social roles, astonishing political turmoil, the rise of “cancel culture,” and the necessity of difficult conversations leave people wondering what to say—at the workplace, in social and civic groups, and around the family dinner table. International leadership speaker and peacemaker, Alicia Dunams has the solution in her book, How to Talk to Your Enemies . In this book, you’ll discover specific words, phrases, and approaches to start dialogues off on the right foot toward mutual understanding and healing. Dunams covers important topics, such
256 pages, Paperback
Published May 26, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 27, 2023
A must-read self-help guide to breaking down walls, and building healthy and peaceful relationships
Who wouldn’t like to interact peaceably with family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and even strangers? It sounds like a pipedream, right? Yet, this book is for you if you’d like to improve your relationships at home, work, and the wider society. It is packed with practical resources such as suggested scripts for every situation. It offers hope to turn your “enemies” around with thoughtful conversations.
We’ve heard of “being the change you’d like to see”. With the help of this book, we can all become influencers of peace through how we communicate with others.
The book is divided into three parts. Part One provides you with a “mindful communications framework” to help you understand why we say what we say. The author also unpacks hostility and the power of empathy, compassion, and kindness.
Part Two provides the bulk of communication tools you’ll need. This will allow you to tackle “hot-button conversations”. You’ll learn words to use, body language to pay attention to, how to listen, when to stay silent, how to apologize, ask questions, forgive, and make requests rather than demands. What resonated with me is the tip on how to “tell your truth without harming”, something we'd all appreciate. Part Three is short and looks at “Where do we go from here?”
I like the author’s style of writing. Dunams writes with wisdom and grace. She shares personal insight and experience to provide easy-to-follow guidelines for difficult situations. She explains concepts, phrases, and approaches that are inclusive and culturally sensitive. The book references lessons from a wide variety of belief systems, and world leaders who led by example.
I especially liked Dunams’ Platinum Rule: Treat others the way they’d like to be treated. And to ask in a mindful way if you don’t know what that involves. There is a lot of information in this book. But if you put into practice this one rule only, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a peacemaker of note.
This book is for everyone. But it will take time and effort to build better personal relationships. And what a difference it would make in companies and organizations that use it in team-building exercises!
Finally, I could see it used as a timeless reference book to return to again and again. I highly recommend it.
Who wouldn’t like to interact peaceably with family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and even strangers? It sounds like a pipedream, right? Yet, this book is for you if you’d like to improve your relationships at home, work, and the wider society. It is packed with practical resources such as suggested scripts for every situation. It offers hope to turn your “enemies” around with thoughtful conversations.
We’ve heard of “being the change you’d like to see”. With the help of this book, we can all become influencers of peace through how we communicate with others.
The book is divided into three parts. Part One provides you with a “mindful communications framework” to help you understand why we say what we say. The author also unpacks hostility and the power of empathy, compassion, and kindness.
Part Two provides the bulk of communication tools you’ll need. This will allow you to tackle “hot-button conversations”. You’ll learn words to use, body language to pay attention to, how to listen, when to stay silent, how to apologize, ask questions, forgive, and make requests rather than demands. What resonated with me is the tip on how to “tell your truth without harming”, something we'd all appreciate. Part Three is short and looks at “Where do we go from here?”
I like the author’s style of writing. Dunams writes with wisdom and grace. She shares personal insight and experience to provide easy-to-follow guidelines for difficult situations. She explains concepts, phrases, and approaches that are inclusive and culturally sensitive. The book references lessons from a wide variety of belief systems, and world leaders who led by example.
I especially liked Dunams’ Platinum Rule: Treat others the way they’d like to be treated. And to ask in a mindful way if you don’t know what that involves. There is a lot of information in this book. But if you put into practice this one rule only, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a peacemaker of note.
This book is for everyone. But it will take time and effort to build better personal relationships. And what a difference it would make in companies and organizations that use it in team-building exercises!
Finally, I could see it used as a timeless reference book to return to again and again. I highly recommend it.
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June 2, 2023Why should you talk to your enemies? To make the world a better place, by understanding people with whom we differ, by learning how to resolve conflict, by opening up to love instead of hate.
Alicia Dunams has written a guide to approaching tough situations with confidence instead of fear. My dear childhood friend and I have discovered that our political views are vastly opposed. Someday soon I plan to calmly and courteously ask her about her beliefs. Not easy, but I now have a script I can use to guide me. (Dunams calls them "Mindful Communication Responses.") Whether you are trying to ask forgiveness or respond to racism, this book will help you to get started and see the conversation through to peace.
Alicia Dunams has written a guide to approaching tough situations with confidence instead of fear. My dear childhood friend and I have discovered that our political views are vastly opposed. Someday soon I plan to calmly and courteously ask her about her beliefs. Not easy, but I now have a script I can use to guide me. (Dunams calls them "Mindful Communication Responses.") Whether you are trying to ask forgiveness or respond to racism, this book will help you to get started and see the conversation through to peace.
June 2, 2023
You wouldn't think that "talking to your enemies" is something you want to do. Sounds counterintuitive right? But Alicia's book teaches us to do just that, especially in trying times like these. Honestly this is a book for all of us to learn how to communicate with co-workers, friends and family more openly and honestly!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews