I was excited to read this book because I read Dana's first book on conflict (I found it at a bookstore at an airport) and have referred back to it multiple times. I also recommended it and bought copies for managers I work with and family members. This book is an excellent next step and is a great complement to the first book. The way Dana frames and reframes how we think and act during conflict is incredibly helpful. This book has tons of examples and practical tips on what to say/what not to say, what to do/what not to do. I could see myself saying things in a way that deepens the conflict as opposed to helping reach agreement, so seeing how to reframe my words is incredibly powerful. This book is clear and informative and has a beautiful layout that makes it a compelling read and easy to navigate. This is one of the best books on conflict I have read. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Rowman & Littlefield | Association for Conflict Resolution for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.

This book can be called a transformative guide that redefines how we engage with conflict. Grounded in clarity and compassion, the book empowers readers to shift from reactive to constructive responses during challenging moments. With a design that is as accessible as its message, the author offers 20 clear, practical decisions that serve as tools for navigating everyday tensions—whether in personal relationships, communities, or professional settings.
Rather than offering abstract theory, the book delivers actionable strategies rooted in years of experience in conflict mediation. Her approach is non-judgmental and deeply human, inviting readers to embrace conflict as a source of potential growth, understanding, and connection.
Three Key Learning Points:
Conflict Is Not the Enemy: book reframes conflict as a natural part of human interaction. When approached with intention and awareness, conflict becomes a powerful opportunity for insight and positive change.
Decisions Shape Outcomes: The book emphasizes that how we choose to engage in conflict determines its course. Each of the 20 decisions offers a way to pause, reflect, and steer the situation toward resolution rather than escalation.
Listening Is a Strategic Tool: Active, empathetic listening is highlighted as one of the most effective tools in de-escalating conflict. By genuinely hearing others, we reduce defensiveness and open the door to mutual understanding.Overall, Conflict Is an Opportunity is a must-read for anyone seeking to improve communication, build resilience, and foster healthier interactions in all areas of life.

This was actually really great! I know a lot of people struggle with conflict resolution and seem to be lacking the skills needed to know how to navigate situations of conflict. But I like to meet things head-on and am constantly trying to learn and improve myself. I think this book helps me do this. It is accessible, easy to read and understand - even if you only have a few minutes a day - and has practical tips you can begin using immediately. A helpful and enlightening read!

Conflict Is an Opportunity: Twenty Fundamental Decisions for Navigating Difficult Times" by Dana Caspersen is an insightful and practical guide that transforms the way we perceive and handle conflict. Caspersen masterfully presents twenty key decisions that can help anyone navigate challenging situations with grace and effectiveness.

The book is filled with actionable advice and thought-provoking strategies that empower readers to view conflict as an opportunity for growth and positive change. Whether you're dealing with personal or professional conflicts, Caspersen's wisdom offers valuable tools to resolve disputes and build stronger relationships.

I highly recommend "Conflict Is an Opportunity" to anyone looking to improve their conflict resolution skills and turn difficult times into opportunities for growth and understanding. It's a must-read for anyone seeking to navigate conflicts with confidence and compassion.

Conflict Is an Opportunity completely flips the script on how we think about conflict. Instead of something to avoid or win, she reframes it as a chance for growth, understanding, and better relationships. The book lays out 20 key decisions that help you navigate tough conversations with more confidence and clarity anywhere tensions run high.

Personally, this book has changed the way I approach difficult situations. Caspersen makes it clear that conflict isn’t just about the other person, it’s about the choices we make in how we listen, respond, and frame the conversation. Her insights are simple but powerful, and the real-world examples make it easy to see how small shifts in mindset and language can make all the difference. If you want to improve your communication skills and handle conflict in a way that leads to better outcomes instead of more frustration, Conflict Is an Opportunity is a must-read.

For someone who has asked themself more than once in various situations whether I was "responding or reacting?" to a situation- reading this book was a great break from how I've read about conflict and the art of conflict management.
I am grateful to Dana for being in the midst of conflict and not trying to make it out as something beautiful to look forward to or criminalize it- this was not a one clear cut description of conflict rather various scenarios of how it materializes and what reinforces and sustains it versus what resolves it. Particularly loved the phrase shared here that said, "test the waters, but don't tie yourself to the anchor."
The other chapter that I could definitely have to re-read and often look back upon has to be the one that focuses on decision five, "am I listening, even when I disagree?" and for this I need to summon my face because I am quick to show displeasure with my face and gestures.
For someone who is new to a position where people, systems and places are at work could learn from this book if they're a manager, supervisor or even team member who supports different functions.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

Caspersen takes up conflict in a unique way through this book. I say unique not to suggest a certain "spin" on it that makes it palatable to different audiences or makes it a sexy commodity in the way of books following a Malcolm Gladwell-esque treatment. It takes conflict up uniquely in that it doesn't pretend to be a solution. It lives in the nebulousness of conflict, and the liminal spaces of discomfort within which we find ourselves when we're trying to navigate it. Accordingly, Dana Caspersen offers chapters as suggested pathways through it, absent of prescriptive "ought to" sentiments.

The contents would be extremely helpful for anyone in business, particularly those who are a bit green to conflict management and interpersonal relationships where there is a power balance that is new to them: managers, supervisors, leaders, and even those who are trying to "manage up" so that they maintain healthy boundaries in their relationship to powers "above" them in hierarchical organizations. I enjoy that this book shifts the perspective of what conflict means, so that it is viewed less through the lens of negotiation and more as a way to see and honor one another's humanity. It's not unique in that take, but combined with the writing style, tone of the author, and context of applicability, it stands out in the genre among new releases and contributions to it. I could easily see this becoming a professional development tool for leadership teams across a variety of industries.

It reminded me (very helpfully so!) of Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication tenets, though applied in a different context. It would complement the book "Crucial Conversations" nicely as well. If someone is in business or using it in work contexts, it would dovetail nicely with Melissa Urban's "The Book of Boundaries" if you are a reader who takes up boundary changes at work and finds that the ripple effect is impacting relationships outside of work in constructive ways and want further guidance.

Many thanks to the publisher for the advance reader copy, obtained through NetGalley! I really enjoyed reading this book!