China's growing workforce not immune to the presence of Rhinos.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 16, 2004

"Rhinos create uproar, uncertainty and, defi nitely, confl ict. Confl ict is a
daily reality anyway. Rhinos add to it enormously. Many may be quite ready
to talk about the rhino but never talk to the rhino. Neither approach solves the
problem."

- Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Excerpt from Introduction of "Wrestling Rhinos"

San Diego, CA – August 16, 2004 – In a country where saving face is paramount, and interpersonal conflict is avoided and hidden at all costs, it is vital to have the skills to still manage and difuse conflicts that arise. And they do arise. China is no exception to workplace conflict, and publisher XXXXXXX is in tune with the needs of the growing (exponentially) workforce of the world's single most populous country. Before it is even on North American shelves Wrestling Rhinos: Conquering Conflict in the Wilds of Work, by Dr. Rhoberta Shaler, has been bought for distribution in China.

No newcomer to resolving conflict, Dr. Shaler, a psychotherapist, facilitator and executive coach, has twenty-five years experience in teaching people to ‘play nicely together in the company sandbox.’ Her seventh book, Wrestling Rhinos: Conquering Conflict in the Wilds of Work, has been hailed as “an instant classic…essential in any business library.”

According to Dr. Shaler, “If you do not have the skills for ‘wrestling rhinos’, you are going to have two choices: be miserable, anxious and stressed, or, be constantly looking for work until you own your own savannah.” Both are unproductive, tedious and frustrating. And, business owners know that ‘owning the savannah’ comes with another set of challenges and problems. You simply become the overseer of the rhino wrestlers!

A main premise of the book, and Shaler's personal mission, is to teach people to be totally honest and totally kind at the same time. Not a new concept, but one that does not get nearly enough attention. It's more than "I-statements" and taking personal responsibility rather than blaming the "other guy". It's about giving honest information so the recipient has an opportunity to make different choices in their behavior or responses, without damaging the relationship or the self-esteem of anyone involved.

Recent statistics from the Dana Mediation Institute state that “…unmanaged employee conflict is responsible for 65 percent of work performance problems, and up to 42 percent of employees' time is spent engaging in or attempting to resolve conflict. Many managers spend almost a third of their time dealing with conflict. “ No one can afford this. It is wildly expensive in every way. That valuable time must be recouped for progress, productivity and profits.

Founder of the Optimize! Institute in Escondido, Dr. Shaler says that “a competitive edge is not found on your balance sheet. A profit is only the evidence of a competitive edge. The edge itself is found in your workplace and customer relations.” Excellent ‘people skills’ build trusting relationships that endure. These are paramount to building a consistently-improving bottom line. Fortunately, ‘people skills’ are learned and conflict can be managed. That’s the good news!

Shaler says, “…an untalked-about issue is like having a rhinoceros in your office. It is taking up space, coming between people and making the atmosphere generally unpleasant. An untamed rhino can charge unpredictably at any minute, keeping everyone anxious, stressed and unproductive.” Getting the skills to ‘wrestle rhinos’ takes the pain out of being close and saves time, energy, and money immediately.

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD, Founder of the Optimize! Institute in Escondido, CA, solves ‘people problems’ by making it easier to talk about difficult things. Author of ‘Wrestling Rhinos: Conquering Conflict in the Wilds of Work’, she is an internationally respected speaker and author. Get her ‘Rhino Wrestler’ ezine free at www.OptimizeInstitute.com

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