Description
Book Synopsis Provides a system to help professionals embrace and even welcome conflict with coworkers, bosses, clients, and others, by introducing the PLAY NICE sandbox strategy for dealing with conflict in a post-pandemic world.
The workplace landscape has shifted dramatically since COVID19 struck. Nearly two-thirds of all
employees now work from home–– which many corporate executives indicate is a shift that may be
permanent. The $359 billion annual cost of corporate conflict has shifted along with it. In fact, that
number pales in comparison to conflict costs post-pandemic, even despite remote working.
According to our post-pandemic original research, insecurity, conflicting values, and resistance to
change are fueling the high stress of interpersonal relationships at work and beyond. Employees struggle with remote work arrangements, the health crisis, and the eroded trust while working in isolation. For these employees and managers alike, the conflict situation adds a whole new layer of complexity. A toolkit to “play nice” in this new workplace sandbox is essential for all involved, as companies seek economic viability to rebuild their diminished workforce. Sandbox Strategies for the New Workplace provides a system to help professionals embrace and even welcome conflict with coworkers, bosses, clients, and others.
As a workplace-relationships expert helping remote and on-site teams resolve conflict for the last couple of decades, Penny Tremblay learned that there’s only one way through conflict and that’s through it. To help work teams, Penny designed eight proven strategies to help people become responsible, influential, and productive problem solvers.
According to her organic research on the effects of COVID on workplace conflict, over 550 global
respondents indicated these trends in workplace conflict.
• Conflicting values, resistance to change, and personal insecurities are driving workplace conflict
today.
• Although communication and trust of managers have increased since COVID, more and more
people hesitate to speak up due to political divisions and fear of labels.
• A feeling of being excluded, isolated, and unprepared to manage personal and professional
priorities heightens stress and leads to even more conflict.
Trade ReviewPenny Tremblay has targeted an important idea in conflict resolution – Play. As a mediator, I regularly see the stressful, negative approach people take in trying to deal with conflict. Using Penny’s tools and approach can free parties to engage in a healthier and better way. Add Penny’s book to your personal Toolbox!
-- Gary Furlong, Mediator, Principal at Agree Inc., Author of The Conflict Resolution Toolbox
An easy and entertaining must-read for leaders who want to create profound positive impacts and team results without all of the stress, conflict, and devastating mental health effects.
-- Lise Leblanc, Registered Psychotherapist and Author
Penny has put together a unique combination of detailed research, personal stories, and practical tools to help us all work together in more effective and productive ways. There are many timely and relevant takeaways in this book that will benefit employees, managers, and leaders
-- Roy Slack, MD, P. Eng., FCIM, Founder and Independent Director, Cementation Americas
Over the decades there are a few management books that have dramatically changed the way we do business: Think and Grow Rich, Who Moved My Cheese, and Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Sandbox Strategies has the potential to do for our post-Covid generation what all these aforementioned classics did for theirs. If you want to move from conflict to cooperation reading this book and applying its principles is a must.
-- Barry Spilchuk, Founder, IamASurvivor.club, Coauthor of A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul
Penny possesses the admirable quality of willingness to have difficult conversations. Most people elect to demure, avoid and flee from conflict. Penny teaches us the dignity and power of directly confronting our issues.
-- Trent Theroux, Chief Financial Officer, Thielsch Group Inc.
The eight sandbox strategies in this book will have a profound impact on your ability to resolve conflict and develop and nurture meaningful relationships, which are the foundation of business and personal success. If you’re looking for a detailed road map to increase your productivity and profit and climb the corporate ladder, this book is an absolute must!
-- Corina Moore, President and CEO, Ontario Northland Transportation
As a practicing employment law attorney, I have seen firsthand how interpersonal conflict in the workplace—if left to fester unresolved—can give rise to enormous legal risk for an organization. Using Penny’s tried and true conflict resolution strategies, employees, employers, and HR professionals have the tools and resources that they need to better understand and resolve workplace conflicts before it is too late and the emotional, financial, and legal costs become unavoidable.
-- Gregory Tumolo, Partner, Lewis Brisbois
All people deal with conflict but for women entrepreneurs, it takes an awareness that conflict can lead to positive outcomes. Frankly, they need the skills and stamina to work through it. Penny’s book Sandbox Strategies for the New Workplace provides an empowering approach to this essential know-how for today’s changing world.
-- Rosalind Lockyer, Founder and CEO, PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise, and PARO Canada
Table of ContentsWhy Conflict Surfaces in Most Workplaces
Chapter 1 - Position Yourself
Chapter 2 - Lighten Your Load
Chapter 3 - Actively Listen
Chapter 4 - Your WHY
Chapter 5 - Nurture Relationships
Chapter 6 - Include Everyone
Chapter 7 - Challenge Conflict
Chapter 8 - Empathize
Keeping These Eight Strategies Top of Mind
Index / Bibliography
Acknowledgements
About the Author and PLAY NICE Programs for the Workplace
Foreword by Samuel Dinnar, Harvard Business School professor
