The Art of Constructive Confrontation

By J Hoover & R DiSilvestro

John Wiley & Sons, 2005

$43.95

There aren’t many people who would choose confrontation over avoidance, particularly at work. However, these authors suggest we should all learn to embrace it and use it to our advantage.

Contrary to common perception, confrontation isn’t always about conflict and anger. Constructive confrontation is a structured, systematic approach to defusing tensions and boosting accountability in the workplace.

In this book, Hoover and DiSilvestro show managers how to use it to the benefit of organisational performance via responsibility and action. They offer clear and concise directions to initiating the all-important conversations between team leaders and team members and ensuring they happen effectively.

For leaders and aspiring leaders the ability to communicate in challenging circumstances in a positive way can help build a strong, productive team around them. The Art of Constructive Confrontation covers the step-by-step process to help people become that kind of powerful, effective leader. Overall, the approach the authors take to presenting the book is a bit more academic than most but the chapters are well set out and the summaries at the end of each are simple and clear.