DANA CASPERSEN
PRACTITIONER OF CONSTRUCTIVE CONFLICT

books

CONFLICT IS AN OPPORTUNITY

CHANGING THE CONVERSATION

Image of book, Conflict Is an Opportunity, by Dana Caspersen
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conflict is an opportunity

CONFLICT IS AN OPPORTUNITY

20 FUNDAMENTAL DECISIONS FOR NAVIGATING DIFFICULT TIMES

Bestselling author and conflict specialist Dana Caspersen sheds light on the twenty fundamental decisions everyone makes when facing any conflict, providing a powerful practice for tackling these decisions mindfully.

Designed by Joost Elffers Books, the cutting-edge production studio behind the huge New York Times bestsellers The 48 Laws of Power, The 33 Strategies of War, and The Art of Seduction, this elegant full-color book guides readers to strengthen their capacity to understand the landscape of conflict and take skillful action to move toward constructive change.

With no jargon and no fluff, the book is structured into three sections that explore the internal, interpersonal, and systemic aspects of conflict. Through immersive analysis and impactful hands-on exercises, readers enhance awareness of how their decisions shape their internal experience, interactions, and the broader systems they inhabit.

More than just “tips and tricks,” Conflict Is an Opportunity equips readers with powerful transformative tools to recognize their habits and actions, decipher conflict dynamics, and consciously shape their approach to navigating complex situations in their everyday and professional lives.

Rowman & Littlefield. Available March, 2025.

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Image of book, Conflict Is an Opportunity, by Dana Caspersen

Rowman & Littlefield

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"Quite the accomplishment—imaginative, practical, concise, and yet comprehensive. This tremendously useful and creative book provides a practical but also deep journey for how to approach conflict of all types. Dana Caspersen invites us to examine and challenge our own way of thinking about conflict, responding to it, using it, and even experiencing it. Conflict Is an Opportunity is useful as a teaching tool but also as a guide to self-reflection and constructive action."

— Bernie Mayer, author of Staying with Conflict and The Dynamics of Conflict

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“Dana’s mastery at making conflict resolution accessible to the masses is evident in this practical guide. Start at the beginning or open it to any page to gain insight and direction through interpersonal conflict journeys. This is an incredible resource.”

– Paula Drouin, founder and president of ADR International Group Inc. and ADR Learning Institute

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"Dana Caspersen's book is extremely timely in a world where we need the collaborative skills to navigate an increasingly interdependent global community. Beautifully written and a wealth of information.”

– Susan Sgorbati, director, The Center for the Advancement of Public Action, founder, the Conflict Resolution Program, Bennington College

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"Conflict Is an Opportunity offers fresh, thoughtful insights and practical strategies for transforming disagreements into opportunities for growth and connection. An invaluable workbook and reference tool for leaders, educators, mediators, and anyone seeking to navigate difficult conversations with confidence and clarity."

— Adam Gersch, founder and CEO, Global Mediation

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Slide

"Dana Caspersen's book is extremely timely in a world where we need the collaborative skills to navigate an increasingly interdependent global community. Beautifully written and a wealth of information.”

– Susan Sgorbati, director, The Center for the Advancement of Public Action, founder, the Conflict Resolution Program, Bennington College

Slide

“Dana’s mastery at making conflict resolution accessible to the masses is evident in this practical guide. Start at the beginning or open it to any page to gain insight and direction through interpersonal conflict journeys. This is an incredible resource.”

– Paula Drouin, founder and president of ADR International Group Inc. and ADR Learning Institute

Slide

"Quite the accomplishment—imaginative, practical, concise, and yet comprehensive. This tremendously useful and creative book provides a practical but also deep journey for how to approach conflict of all types. Conflict Is an Opportunity is useful as a teaching tool but also as a guide to self-reflection and constructive action."

— Bernie Mayer, author of Staying with Conflict and The Dynamics of Conflict

Slide

"Conflict Is an Opportunity offers fresh, thoughtful insights and practical strategies for transforming disagreements into opportunities for growth and connection. An invaluable workbook and reference tool for leaders, educators, mediators, and anyone seeking to navigate difficult conversations with confidence and clarity."

— Adam Gersch, founder and CEO, Global Mediation

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changing the conversation

CHANGING THE CONVERSATION

THE 17 PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION

This bestselling manual teaches seventeen fundamentals for turning any conflict into an opportunity for growth. Changing the Conversation is written by conflict expert Dana Caspersen and is filled with real-life examples, spot-on advice, and easy-to-grasp exercises that demonstrate transformative ways to break out of destructive patterns, to create useful dialogue in difficult situations, and to find long-lasting solutions for conflicts. Designed by Joost Elffers, the packaging genius behind the huge New York Times bestsellers The 48 Laws of Power, The 33 Strategies of War, and The Art of Seduction, Changing the Conversation is beautifully packaged in a graphic, two-color format.

Changing the Conversation has been translated into 8 languages and is used internationally as a training tool by organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. The book is on required reading lists and professional development guides at institutions ranging from the University of Southern California and the Boxhill Institute in Australia to the Dallas Law College and the ADR Learning Institute.

Rich and concise, Changing the Conversation offers readers an invaluable tool for stepping into conflicts of all kinds with robust curiosity, concrete skill, and a persistent sense of possibility.

Penguin. A Joost Elffers Book. 2015.

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Dana on “Changing the Conversation”

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“This intriguing book covers a lot of ground. The basic themes of communication, respect, curiosity, and willingness to consider alternative points of view can get you through many of life’s toughest moments with the people who matter most to you.”

– psychologytoday.com

Slide

“…an innovative look at conflict resolution that will be an eye-opener.”

– bookpage

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"A striking visual design by the book packager Joost Elffers, lays out 17 principles that Ms. Caspersen described as “a practical and action-based way of unpacking conflict so that we can see it as a series of manageable decisions about what we do."

–The New York Times

Slide

“As Caspersen deftly distilled the essence of myriad strategies to resolve interpersonal conflict, Elffers similarly crafted an experiential product. Ultimately, they collectively created a valuable contribution to conflict resolution practices in the popular literature.”

– ACResolution Magazine

Slide

"In a world where people of different cultures, outlooks, and intentions interact more frequently, there is less room for error, and if simply changing our natural reactions to discord and steering, instead of escalating, a conversation can prevent a conflict from becoming a conflagration, Caspersen’s book is an investment worth making."

– CP Journal

Slide

"The first page is so good that I copied it and put it up in my office."

–The HR Maven

Slide

"This book is a marvelous thing. It has examples of common conflicts and language used in families, talking with teens, in work situations, in political discussions. On the facing page it gives examples of a more constructive approach….this book is good for beginners and those experienced in the practice."

– The Bowed Bookshelf

Slide

"Conflict mediator Dana Caspersen has identified 17 principles of conflict resolution that we’d do well to adopt."

–The Hamilton Observer

Slide

"I loved how the book was set up… Each page was practical and used real life examples to help you see how you can work through situations that will ultimately come up and that will need to be dealt with. This was a powerful book that truly provides the reader with a ton of resources to draw from."

– Dad of Divas

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Slide


“This intriguing book covers a lot of ground. The basic themes of communication, respect, curiosity, and willingness to consider alternative points of view can get you through many of life’s toughest moments with the people who matter most to you.”

– psychologytoday.com

Slide

“…an innovative look at conflict resolution that will be an eye-opener.”

– bookpage

Slide

"A striking visual design by the book packager Joost Elffers, lays out 17 principles that Ms. Caspersen described as “a practical and action-based way of unpacking conflict so that we can see it as a series of manageable decisions about what we do."

–The New York Times

Slide

“As Caspersen deftly distilled the essence of myriad strategies to resolve interpersonal conflict, Elffers similarly crafted an experiential product. Ultimately, they collectively created a valuable contribution to conflict resolution practices in the popular literature.”

– ACResolution Magazine

Slide

"In a world where people of different cultures, outlooks, and intentions interact more frequently, there is less room for error, and if simply changing our natural reactions to discord and steering, instead of escalating, a conversation can prevent a conflict from becoming a conflagration, Caspersen’s book is an investment worth making."

– CP Journal

Slide

"The first page is so good that I copied it and put it up in my office."

–The HR Maven

Slide

"This book is a marvelous thing. It has examples of common conflicts and language used in families, talking with teens, in work situations, in political discussions. On the facing page it gives examples of a more constructive approach….this book is good for beginners and those experienced in the practice."

– The Bowed Bookshelf

Slide

"Conflict mediator Dana Caspersen has identified 17 principles of conflict resolution that we’d do well to adopt."

–The Hamilton Observer

Slide

"I loved how the book was set up… Each page was practical and used real life examples to help you see how you can work through situations that will ultimately come up and that will need to be dealt with. This was a powerful book that truly provides the reader with a ton of resources to draw from."

– Dad of Divas

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practice book:

conflict is an opportunity

practice book:
conflict
is an opportunity

This companion book invites readers to expand their practice of constructive conflict engagement through a series of practical, impactful exercises and reflections. These exercises work with both physical and mental reflection and action and can be returned to again and again as you move through the changing circumstances of your life.

Available early 2025