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The 3rd Alternative

Solving Life's Most Difficult Problems

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About this listen

 From the multimillion-copy bestselling author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, hailed as the #1 Most Influential Business Book of the Twentieth Century, The 3rd Alternative introduces a breakthrough approach to conflict resolution and creative problem solving.

There are many methods of “conflict resolution,” but most involve compromise, a low-level accommodation that stops the fight without breaking through to new and innovative results. The 3rd Alternative introduces a breakthrough approach to conflict resolution and creative problem solving, transcending traditional solutions to conflict by forging a path toward a third option. A third alternative moves beyond your way or my way to a higher and better way—one that allows both parties to emerge from debate or even heated conflict in a far better place than either had envisioned. With the third alternative, nobody has to give up anything, and everyone wins.

Through key examples and stories from his work as a consultant, Covey demonstrates the power of 3rd Alternative thinking. His wide-ranging examples include a Canadian metropolitan police force that transformed a crime-plagued community; a judge who brought a quick, peaceful end to one of the biggest environmental lawsuits in American history without setting foot in a courtroom; the principal of a high school for children of migrant workers who raised their graduation rate from 30 percent to 90 percent; a handful of little-known people who are quietly finding new ways to bring peace to the Middle East; and many others. These various groups and individuals offer living examples of how to create new and better results instead of escalating conflict, as well as how to build strong relationships based on an attitude of winning together.

Beyond conflict and compromise, The 3rd Alternative unveils a radical, creative new way of thinking. Career Success Conflict Resolution Decision-Making & Problem Solving Personal Development Relationships Stress Management
All stars
Most relevant
A good publication from later in Covey's career, expanding on one of the 7 habits.

Decent but not quite the 7 habits

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Having read the bestselling 7 habits book, I was curious about what else the author had written.
This is a gold mine of inspiration, like no other book. So many stories of people facing all sorts of problems in life, legal problems, family problems, financial problems. The resonating message is one of hope, that all people can solve whatever challenges using the 3rd alternative problem solving method of synergy. I enjoyed the book so much that it was bittersweet that it ended, but then leaves on a high note, that we can all be the answer to someone else's prayer. Steven Covey clearly left a lasting legacy with this one.

Covey's best book saved for last

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