Ian Renaud’s Resolving from Within is a thoughtful and accessible contribution to the growing body of work on internal transformation as a foundation for resolving external disputes. For those familiar with the understanding-based approach to conflict resolution and the book Inside Out by Gary J. Friedman, this book feels like both an affirmation and an expansion.
What stands out is Renaud’s commitment to the idea that our inner state matters just as much – if not more – than our external interventions. This central belief is familiar to those of us who practice the understanding-based model, which rests on the notion that people in conflict are best served not by being directed or persuaded, but by gaining a deeper understanding of themselves, each other, and the situation they face together.
The author offers a holistic lens that incorporates cognitive, emotional, somatic, and even spiritual dimensions of conflict. This broad view does not dilute the work – it enriches it. Rather than prescribe a rigid method, Renaud offers a framework for exploration and self-awareness that honors the complexity of both conflict and the people navigating it. The book reads less like a manual and more like a companion – a guide who walks beside you, inviting reflection and growth.
For practitioners trained in the understanding-based model, there are familiar echoes: the centrality of understanding over persuasion, the importance of letting parties own their conflict, and the value of going beneath the surface to uncover what truly matters. Renaud’s work aligns with these principles, yet brings in new language and practices that add depth and nuance.
One such example is the way the author speaks about pausing and attuning to the body. Many conflict professionals are well-versed in reflective listening and looping, but less practiced in listening to their own somatic cues. Renaud encourages the reader to pay attention to sensations, breath, and physical shifts – to treat the body not as a distraction, but as a wise partner in the process. For those familiar with SCPI’s emphasis on self-awareness, this will feel like a natural and valuable extension.
The book is rich with practices – not tools in the conventional sense, but invitations to slow down, reflect, and connect. These include journaling prompts, guided visualizations, and moments of stillness. Renaud is careful not to frame these as quick fixes. Instead, he treats them as part of a larger commitment to being present, open, and grounded – qualities essential for supporting others through conflict.
In one of the most powerful sections, the author explores what he calls “shadow work” – the process of becoming aware of the parts of ourselves we typically suppress or deny, such as judgment, fear, or control. Rather than viewing these qualities as flaws to be eliminated, he invites us to see them as signals of deeper needs and beliefs. This perspective resonates strongly with the SCPI approach, which encourages practitioners to bring curiosity, not critique, to their internal reactions.
Renaud’s tone throughout is warm, encouraging, and humble. He does not present himself as having mastered the inner terrain, but as someone deeply committed to the journey. That humility creates a sense of spaciousness – the reader is not being told how to do it “right,” but invited into their own inquiry. For conflict professionals used to holding space for others, this book is a reminder to hold space for ourselves with equal care.
The author also speaks directly to the challenges of this work – the discomfort of not knowing, the temptation to fix or control, the emotional toll of witnessing pain. Rather than offering escape routes, he encourages us to stay with what arises, trusting that insight and movement often come from within the discomfort itself. This mirrors the understanding-based commitment to working with conflict, rather than trying to resolve it too quickly.
For past participants in the Understanding-Based Training or SCPI program, Resolving from Within will feel like an invitation to go deeper. For those newer to these approaches, it offers an accessible and heartfelt entry point. In either case, the book affirms that the most meaningful changes often begin not in strategy, but in self-awareness.
In a field that can sometimes prioritize external outcomes over internal alignment, Renaud’s book is a timely and valuable reminder: the way we show up matters. When we begin within, we are far better equipped to support others with clarity, compassion, and presence.