About The Gordon Model

The Gordon Model, developed by psychologist Dr. Thomas Gordon, is a set of communication and conflict resolution skills that apply to all human relationships.

The philosophy behind the model is rooted in the concept that the use of power is destructive in any relationship — whether that relationship exists between parents and children, workplace leaders and group members, teachers and students, or within marriages and friendships — and that relationships that maintain a relatively equal balance of power are more harmonious and well-functioning.

The concept of “problem ownership” is primary in the Gordon Model, followed by skills in Active Listening and I-Messages to maintain the balance of communication in a relationship. The Gordon Model uses a specific process called Method III, or No-Lose Conflict Resolution, to resolve conflicts between individuals or within groups.

Method III taps in to the experience and creative potential of all group members in order to arrive at higher-quality, lasting solutions to conflict (so the same problems don’t need to be solved over and over again!).

Five distinct programs exist for individuals to learn and practice these skills with a Certified Instructor in a group setting:

P.E.T. began in 1962 as the first national parent effectiveness training program. Dr. Thomas Gordon was a consultant to the White House Conference on Children, and he was nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Although P.E.T. was the first of its kind, it gave rise to over 50,000 different parenting programs. You can read a comparison of P.E.T. with some alternative programs here.

T.E.T. is an effectiveness program for teachers, counselors, and administrators. The course began in 1965 and has been updated a number of times, most recently in 2006. It’s been taught in over 20 countries.

Leader Effectiveness Training contextualizes the Gordon Model and its concept of group-centered leadership into workplace relationships.

Be Your Best was originally developed by Linda Adams as an effectiveness training course for women. It has since been revised and expanded as a course for individuals around the world.

… and Y.E.T., Youth Effectiveness Training, exists to offer young people an avenue to learn and practice the Gordon Model skills in their own lives and relationships.

programs for…