Client Testimonials
I believe Bridges to Consensus applies to every facet of our lives… It doesn’t knock you over like a fire hose. It enters your spirit quietly and gently.
As a ghostwriter, I negotiate contracts often, and for “invisible” goods. …Margaret has taught me how to appeal to a prospect’s often hidden needs and desires, and to create a possibility where none existed. Once the deal is struck, and the book is underway, clients are always delighted, because we started with their ideas, their needs and their concept of how the finished product should be.
Margaret Anderson’s presentation takes the wisdom of Ben Franklin’s stated virtue: “Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself” into the realm of feelings, thoughts, and deeds.
It [Bridges to Consensus] lends itself specifically to church issues, while making itself significantly useful for understanding communications in any organizational system. It is easy to see how it can address the needs of an advanced communications class in any seminary or university… The thoroughness and thoughtfulness of Anderson’s work is unsurpassed in today’s proliferation of “How to Communicate” publications.
It has been said that one of the best ways to teach is through story. In Love on the Rocks with a Twist, Margaret Anderson teaches the fine art of consensus building in whole new way…She starts with [a] story or a poem then analyzes it in the light of consensus building techniques…[A]s a companion piece to Bridges to Consensus or as a stand-alone, it’s a good and incredibly helpful read to anyone anywhere who has ever worked in relationship with another human being.
It Strikes a Chord: I’ve spent a lifetime reading stories, and I’m not easy to please. This little pocketful kept me pleasurably engaged all the way through. I love the way Anderson gets right to the meat of a situation with an economy of words and well placed spots of humor… That said, I’ve always believed that we can learn much about real life from reading fiction, and Anderson gives us a bonus in the excellent “study notes” that briefly explain how the characters might have handled their situation differently for a better outcome. Even if I was not already knowledgeable of Anderson’s teachings in her nonfiction book, Bridges to Consensus, I would have learned a few things from the study notes. This is a book I’ll read again.
A Go-To Reference & Entertaining Read in One Book: Delightful fiction, indeed! Each of the stories is a standalone pleasure. I especially enjoyed the well-crafted characters. I could easily relate to their feelings, responses, and situations. The story endings were often surprising, yet satisfying. I had previously read Ms. Anderson’s excellent “Bridges to Consensus”. “Love on the Rocks” helped me see how to apply those same good communication methods to my personal relationships. Her study notes enhance each tale, opening one’s eyes to the interactional skills used by the characters.
While reading “Bridges to Consensus”, I volunteered to organize a project with my quilt bee, 15 professional, talented, and strongly-opinionated women. Rather than force the group to meet my goals, I used the Three Magic Questions and was thrilled with the results… The project is complete six months ahead of schedule… Your book made me a hero on this project. I can’t thank you enough.
[Margaret is a] Very good listener and thinker – very respectful – pleasant.
[Margaret is] Competent, organized, well prepared, practical, engaging, informative, answers questions, adapted to class based upon context.
[Margaret is] Very good, prepared. Knows how to deliver the course. High knowledge about the subject, easy to understand.
Margaret knows her business very well. She is an excellent instructor and I don’t want this class to end.
The course was very interesting and learning the skill set in the classroom to apply in real life situations is invaluable. It’s definitely about taking what you learn and using it on a daily basis. I will miss coming to class.
So much of our daily communication consists of argument, I’m delighted to learn new methods that remove the argument and place both parties on the road to success. The sample dialogue and “Try This” sections [of Bridges to Consensus] enrich this skillfully written volume even more. While this book is targeted to congregations, the concepts and techniques are applicable to all areas of life. I will definitely use what I have learned!
My life has gone much more smoothly since taking your class. Be it a discussion with…or a coworker, there is less stress and more preferable results. I wanted to let you know how thankful I am for all of the wisdom that you imparted…. It was a tremendous experience to get to see the power of this system.
Although the book [Bridges to Consensus] is written with clergy in mind, I was instantly engrossed in the material and could see my way to using her sensible, easy-to-follow format with anyone. It gave me new confidence in my ability to reason with obstinate or demanding individuals. Eager to practice her techniques, I did, and they worked. This book is a communicator’s goldmine.
Margaret does a great job teaching skills that will enhance your professional development—skills I never learned that would have helped me to get along better with both my superiors and staff throughout my practicing attorney years. With those skills, I most likely would have…been saved from much grief all along the way.
[Margaret is] kind, caring, patient, and always well-prepared and knowledgeable.
Working with Margaret helped me understand that conflict does not automatically have to mean confrontation. Now I know how to seek solutions that benefit both parties. The skills I learned from Margaret have helped me respond to conflict creatively and effectively, finding unexpected resolutions that are almost always an improvement over win-lose conflict negotiation.
As a ghostwriter, I negotiate contracts often, and for “invisible” goods. …Margaret has taught me how to appeal to a prospect’s often hidden needs and desires, and to create a possibility where none existed. Once the deal is struck, and the book is underway, clients are always delighted, because we started with their ideas, their needs and their concept of how the finished product should be.
Margaret Anderson was instrumental in helping me hone my skills so that I could sort out, get clear, select, and land a “practically perfect” new business opportunity for the next leg of my career as a wealth advisor. Determining broad interests and a “walk-away position” before the interviews and negotiations gave me tremendous power and the freedom to totally be myself. Kudos to Margaret.
Thank you. It was a pleasure attending your class. It taught me to ask “Why?” when I am trying to resolve an issue. I learned a lot and am happy I had the opportunity to take your class.
Margaret Anderson came into my life at a Workshop…I was going through a difficult time in my life and turned to Margaret…Through her work with me a win-win solution was reached. I will forever be grateful for her gift of negotiation, her ability to share what she knows works…Everyone could use the information that she has to share.