Negotiating at an Uneven Table : Developing Moral Courage in Resolving Our Conflicts

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Summary: A must book for nurses, women and all healthcare leaders
Review: A great book. It uses clear exmples to help you understand the different faces of conflict in the workplace. Kritek then gives ideas, insight, and pathways of moving beyond the conflict toward a productive workplace. It helped me greatly.

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Summary: Worthless redundant dribble
Review: I began reading this book with high expectations, and was sorely disappointed. The author has a few noble ideas, but the book really isn't about negotiation or conflict resolution at all. If anything, the book's sole purpose is to give its author a venue for complaining about the injustices she suffers because she is a woman and a nurse. The author is extremely verbose and redundant and offers few valid suggestions for real conflict resolution. Save your money. Don't buy this book.

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Summary: Don't Negotiate This Purchase
Review: In Negotiating at an Uneven Table, author Kritek brings her extensive experience as a nurse and scholar to her perspective on conflict resolution. As Kritek prepared to sign the contract for the book, her mother suffered a heart attack and was connected to life support equipment. According to their mother's wishes, Kritek and her siblings wished to have their mother disconnected but found themselves in conflict with some of the hospital's staff. As Kritek negotiated the conflict she was reminded that nurses are forced to negotiate at uneven tables on a daily basis. As the conflict was resolved and her mother died, she reaffirmed that Negotiating is a much-needed guide both for those who come to the "table" disadvantaged and advantaged. Pervasive in the text are Kritek's philosophical beliefs about conflict. She explains that conflict is "central to the human condition" and that to live life fully one must reach out to others and risk conflict (324). According to the author, if we are to grow as people, we must be willing to risk conflict. Another belief the author repeats throughout the work is that conflict resolution simply falls short of what we really need. The belief that conflict resolution is inadequate is a major theme. Kritek believes that there is "something missing" in conflict resolution. A second theme is that it is important to recognize that uneven tables exist and that dialogue about them is necessary for progress. Kritek's final theme is that self-honesty is very challenging but important. The author's goal is to build on what we know about conflict resolution. She reports that her work " . . . perhaps will alter existing practices and approaches to conflict resolution" (xiv). Indeed, she is able to accomplish this by challenging readers to go beyond the cultural norms (such as manipulation and maneuvering) and become more creative with negotiating conflicts. She is able to challenge our thinking by questioning us. For example, she tells the reader " . . . to honestly confront the fact that we seem to need 'inferiors' in order to feel adequate . . ." (30). However, she limits the accomplishment of her goal with her writing style. With her choice of style, she seems to turn away the very readers whom she would most like to attract and impact. For example, Kritek writes, "The task is not pursued without trepidation" (xiv). Such word choices seem to create still another uneven table for the disadvantaged.

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Summary: Negotiating at an Uneven Table: Developing Moral Courage in
Review: Kritek tackles the subject of power within the healthcare system in this sometimes uncomfortable but necessary book. Speaking honestly about the real struggles for providers and consumers alike, she sets an example for any who are willing to drop the masks and negotiate successfully both with others and themselves. Kritek chooses her words carefully, perhaps to the chagrin of some, and illustrates her lessons shared and learned with some of the most profound images and stories. My favorite is a story of an artist's approach to an old wise man, whom he asks about the nature of good and evil. The response is worth reading, and is but one of many lasting images that continue to impact my work and life journey. A must-read for anyone serious about integrating personal and professional development.

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Summary: New wineskins for new wine
Review: Kritek tackles the subject of power within the healthcare system in this sometimes uncomfortable but necessary book. Speaking honestly about the real struggles for providers and consumers alike, she sets an example for any who are willing to drop the masks and negotiate successfully both with others and themselves. Kritek chooses her words carefully, perhaps to the chagrin of some, and illustrates her lessons shared and learned with some of the most profound images and stories. My favorite is a story of an artist's approach to an old wise man, whom he asks about the nature of good and evil. The response is worth reading, and is but one of many lasting images that continue to impact my work and life journey. A must-read for anyone serious about integrating personal and professional development.

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Summary: Negotiating at an Uneven Table: Developing Moral Courage in
Review: Negotiating at an Uneven Table has become a vital tool for my personal self actualization, professional communication, and daily growth. After reading this book, it is clear to see that most, if not all, tables are uneven. Regardless of which side of the table your on, Dr. Kritek provides tools for honest and successful negotiation. Her examples of the valleys and mountain top experiences and tables of life bring the actual events of life into a different and clearer perspective. Her words are honest and direct while being full of compassion. The chapter regarding manipulation has been espicially critical in assisting me identifing common techniques used by myself and others to control life. I strongly suggest this book for anyone sincerely interested in becoming a more honest, compassionate, and fullfilled person. Regardless of your profession, negotiation is a part of living and daily communication. Dr. Kritek provides a perspective to understand what is occouring and how to arrive at a win-win outcome. If winning is not an option, she helps to identify this reality and show you when to walk away.

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Summary: Beyond Manipulating When Your Powerless in a Conflict
Review: This book explores the gnarly process of resolving conflicts in situations where imbalances of power hamper constructive outcomes. The author outlines "ten ways of being" to responsibly address inequalities and diversity. This book is worth it's weight in gold for anyone who is tempted to follow the paths of manipulation and maneuvering out of frustration over unsuccessful attempts at relationship improvement.

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Summary: Excellent resource for effective conflict negotiation
Review: This book is the single most helpful resource for assisting nurses to deal with interpersonal conflict that is inherent in their places of work today. It provides practical exercises interwoven with real nursing stories and occurrences that allow individuals to personalize their approaches to addressing conflict with others. It provides the reader with the opportunity to reframe conflict and conflict management in a way that allows for resolution. A great read!

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Summary: Meaningful Insight
Review: This book provides an excellent framework for for learning conflict resolution and negotiation skills. Ms. Kritek provides meaningful insights into a variety of communication strategies that are necessary in today's stressful and conflicted world.

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Summary: New edition available -- please read
Review: This title has been replaced by a substantially revised and highly recommended paperback edition, published January 2002, titled Negotiating at an Uneven Table : Developing Moral Courage in Resolving Our Conflicts (ISBN: 0787959375). The new edition is available on this website.