Learning in Relationship: Foundation for Personal and Professional Success

Organizations and individuals suffer immensely when relationships sour. Costs soar. Waste multiplies. Pain and resentments paralyze work and productivity. What if these outcomes could be avoided? Learning in Relationship says they can, and rather easily at that. These difficulties are seldom because of malevolence (although we often assume so) or impossible individuals (although we often think "they" are), but because we miss, misinterpret, and misattribute information. Relationships and difficulties are opportunities to learn.

To accomplish learning, the book puts the reader--not the other "malevolent" or "difficult" individual(s)--in charge, knowing that abstract organizations don't change, only individuals change. . . who then work together to make changes in their specific relationship and organization.

The book is divided into three parts: Thinking Lessons, Inquiry Lessons, and Application Lessons. The reader walks away with specific maps, methods, and models to put into immediate use.

Ron's 30 plus years as an educator, director of an innovative graduate program, and most recently as a consultant have confirmed the three fundamental beliefs.
1. Mistrust is often the epicenter of organizational chaos, pain and waste.
2. These costs can be transformed into profitable, productive energy when people learn to trust each other and themselves.
3. This transformation does not come about by magic. It requires vigilance, self awareness and the disciplined application of values, principles, and skills--all of which contribute to collective learning.

Ron received his doctorate in psychology from Claremont Graduate School in 1965; was an intern with the National Training Laboratories in 1969; co-created the LIOS Master of Arts in the Applied Behavioral Sciences; and with John Runyan, founded The Leadership Group. He has consulted and trained extensively in the United States and abroad and has written numerous articles in professional journals.

The focus of his entire career has been to help individuals learn from each other.