Isaacs and My Mother had a framework
Isaacs presents a framework for human interaction that interestingly parallels some of the basic principles my mother would often cite to me – particularly in the midst of disputes with any one or more of my three sisters. It’s not surprising to find these principles, stated somewhat differently, in Isaacs’s work being applied to a broader context: these are principles based upon timeless truths (dare I say ‘absolutes’?). Said and Funk (1996) call such fundamental conflict resolution perspectives “spiritual”: perspectives which “suggest that human beings have inherent value and affirm that empathy, intelligence, and persistence are better resources for dealing with conflict than egotism, strategic acumen, and deadly weapons.” My mother would have agreed. Isaacs’s framework includes four foundational areas that have value not only in resolving conflict, but also in creating a lifestyle that redeems conflict and brings transformation. They match neatly the four principles my mother dri