Using ego power strategically.
8/11/2003
Most books on workplace conflict management don't seem to recognize that senior executives often butt heads as well. This one is a well-rounded guide to solving disagreements throughout the organization, but its strength is in confronting top managers' potential to work against each otherhence the "Goliaths" of the titleas company-wide role models for poor behavior. The author, a consultant since 1989, gives advice in Chapter 2 on ending turf wars and setting up rules of engagement. Rules include, for example, "Don't triangulate" (do solve problems yourself; don't look for a rescuer), "Don't personalize issues," and "No second-guessing and no ex post facto finessing" after an agreement has been reached. The ideas throughout are illustrated with real examples from Philip Morris, L'Oréal Consumer Products, Colgate-Palmolive, and other companies.