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Conflict Management E-Newsletter
June 2003 #41
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Contents:
1. Articles
2. Guides From Pegasus
3. Access To Neutrals Initiative
4. Training Announcements
5. Workers' Compensation Is Exclusive Remedy
6. Organizational Conflict Management Check Up
7. Quotes
8. New Book: Seven Life Lessons of Chaos
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Visit http://www.mediate.com/johnford to learn more about
workplace conflict prevention, management and resolution.
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1. Articles
Reflective Practice: How Veterans Can Benefit from Rookie Training
By Judy Cohen
Traditionally, mediators have regarded training as the route to
skills enhancement. Professional development conducted during day-to-
day practice, however, is an even more powerful resource for
practitioners seeking a disciplined and introspective way of thinking
about interventions. Reflective practice challenges experienced
mediators to keep our skills sharp and to develop a deeper approach
to our work.
Integrating The Internet Into Conflict Management Systems
By John Ford
The reality is that the use of email and the Internet have created
new challenges and opportunities for organizations in their
management of organizational conflict. The challenge of integrating
the Internet into conflict management systems should not be a
defensive response driven by the fear of litigation. Rather, it
should aim to maximize all the Internet and email have to offer as
new access points, new options, and new support structures for
enhancing the satisfaction of employers, employees and the customers
they serve.
Conflict Coaching For Leaders
By Cinnie Noble
One of the areas with which leaders often require help is conflict
management. Executives and people in managerial positions typically
view conflict as inevitable, but do not always realize how their
workplaces and their strength as leaders may be improved with
increased competency in conflict management.
Managing Diversity As a Key Organizational Resource:
An Interview with David Thomas
by Kali Saposnick
Look inside your organization today. How many people who are not from
the dominant culture are employed there? How have their different
approaches to the work you do contributed to improvement of the
organization as a whole? If there's a wide variety of people but
little impact on your organization's culture from the different
perspectives they bring to the table, your organization is typical of
many companies today trying to understand how diversity influences
overall performance.
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2. Guides From Pegasus
Partnership Coaching Pocket Guide
by Diane Cory and Rebecca Bivens Bradley
This two-sided handy reference tool provides essential tips for
aspiring coaches who truly want to facilitate others' learning. It
introduces a powerful model called "GROW"—for "Goals," "Current
Reality," "Options," and "What's Next." Includes guidelines for
giving "edible" feedback, sample questions coaches can ask to support
others' learning, and questions that coaches can ask themselves to
strengthen their own coaching skills.
27ISBN%27,%27PG14%27)
Moving from Blame to Accountability
This guide shows how blaming sets a destructive, addictive cycle in
motion, and how you can distinguish between blame and accountability.
Includes recommendations for individuals who want to avoid blaming,
advice for partnering with others on a project, and tips for managing
disputes with integrity within your own organization or community.
('ISBN','PG07')
Conflict Resolution: A Systemic Approach
Conflict Resolution: A Systemic Approach depicts an exciting new
model for resolving tensions in your organization. Called "SAGE"--
for "Step Back," "Assess," "Get Personal," and "Experiment"--the
model provides a powerful alternative to traditional conflict-
management approaches. This guide includes tips for facilitators as
well as a step-by-step process for using the model.
('ISBN','PG11')
If the links in this section do not work, highlight the full URL and
then copy (Control C)it and paste (Control V) it into the address
line of your browser. If you still have problems send me an email!
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3. Access To Neutrals Initiative
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is proposing a new
regulation to establish an Access to Neutrals Initiative. The main
function of the Access to Neutrals Initiative is to provide a
Registry of Neutrals--a list of individual dispute resolution
providers who have documented their qualifications according to
criteria outlined in the regulation in the categories of ADR
experience, ADR education/training, substantive education in the
content area and experience in the content area. The proposed Access
to Neutrals Initiative also includes informational, ethical and
continuing education requirements for individuals on the Registry of
Neutrals as well as a consumer complaint process. The proposed
regulation provides for clients to access the Registry
by Web site or by request from FMCS.
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4. Training Announcements
Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training
With Ron Kelly
Do you want to successfully resolve
disputes with confidence? In this widely-acclaimed training you will
learn a step-by-step process for resolving nearlyevery kind of
business-related dispute. Trainer is Ron Kelly, winner of six ADR
awards, who brings you the best techniques developed over fifteen
years of mediating. Two weekends and two Friday afternoons, June 20-
22 and 27-29
Cost is $895
Call Ron Kelly at 510-843-6074
Register online at http://www.unex.berkeley.edu/cat/176677.html
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5.Workers' Compensation Is Exclusive Remedy
In most cases, workers' comp insurance is the only source of
compensation an employee can receive for an illness or injury
suffered in the workplace. Courts in some recent cases have awarded
damages to injured workers outside the workers' compensation system.
In this case, however, the court maintained the principle that
workers' comp is the "exclusive remedy" for injured workers.
Gary Weber was an aircraft mechanic for United Parcel Service, Inc.
(UPS). He underwent several hearing tests administered by an
independent contractor between 1989 and 1998 to determine whether
exposure to noise at work affected his hearing. Weber relied on UPS
to evaluate the tests and tell him of any condition requiring further
attention.
In 2000, Weber received a letter from a new hearing test contractor
indicating a possible problem unrelated to noise exposure. Upon
medical evaluation, Weber learned he had a benign brain tumor that
required surgery. Because of the delay in diagnosis, Weber suffered
scarring, facial paralysis, loss of balance, and loss of hearing in
one ear.
Weber sued UPS for damages, arguing that the company and its hearing
test contractors had been negligent in failing to alert him to the
problem. UPS responded that the case should be dismissed because
Weber's claim was covered by worker's compensation.
The court agreed with UPS, saying that while the origin of the
condition was not work related, the condition worsened because UPS
failed to properly evaluate and communicate the hearing test results.
Thus, Weber's employment with UPS contributed to an injury that would
not otherwise have occurred. The court dismissed Weber's negligence
suit as precluded by the exclusive remedies provided by workers'
compensation.
Weber v. United Parcel Service, Inc. (Cal. App., 2nd Dist., No.
B153284, April 3, 2003).
Source: California Chamber of Commerce
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6. Organizational Conflict Management Check Up
Are you concerned about the health of your
organizations conflict management system?
This diagnostic questionnaire is easy to complete in less
than 10 minutes and provides valuable insight into how your
organization is dealing with conflict. We will email you a
brief report that analyses your organizations conflict
management health, and make clear recommendations for improvement.
This is an easy way to obtain peace of mind.
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7. Quotes
"In organizations, real power and energy is generated through
relationships. The patterns of relationships and the capacities to
form them are more important than tasks, functions, roles, and
positions."
Margaret Wheatley
"In great teams conflict becomes productive. The free flow of
conflicting ideas is critical for creative thinking, for dicovering
new solutions no one individual would have come to on his own."
Peter Senge
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8. Seven Life Lessons of Chaos
by John Briggs and F. David Peat,
New York: HarperPerennial, 1999. 207 pages.
Price $13.00. ISBN: 0-06-093073-X.
Book Review by Mark Isabella
It seems like more and more of us are experiencing lives that feel
out of control: too much to do, too little time, too much
uncertainty, too little control. Just when we think we have a handle
on our affairs, something unexpected occurs, throwing us back into
the whirlwind of turbulent change. To cope with all of this
turmoil and confusion, we seek guidance in how to deal with the
stress and strain of everyday life. Too often we attempt to exert
control over events and people. The result: more chaos, more
confusion, and more pain.
In their book, Seven Life Lessons of Chaos: Spiritual Wisdom from the
Science of Change, John Briggs and F. David Peat provide useful
strategies for embracing chaos. Employing examples from science,
nature, and mythology, the authors offer insights
into the nature of chaos. They also provide ideas for flowing with
change in ways that enhance joy, creativity, and mindfulness.
I believe trainers, consultants, facilitators, and managers will find
many applications for the authors' advice. This book will help you
cope with complexity, benefit from change, and find peace amidst
chaos.
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9. Feedback and Subscriptions welcome
If you have any suggestions, tips, or other comments,
send an e-mail to johnford@mediate.com.
New subscriptions are welcome. Forward this to a
friend or colleague.
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