Featured Blogs Section
Featured Blog Posts
Seasonal ConRes Shopping Thoughts
It’s that time of year again – the time when gift lists abound. Here are some mediation gift ideas.
One Size Does Not Fit All - And the War Within
In the mediation world we get trained and know that “neutral“ is the role for the mediator.
How Three Geniuses Solved Workplace Conflicts
It is fascinating to trace how management has been resolving conflicts arising in production over the past 100 years, how production management developed.
Strategy v Policy
For quite a while a staff member had requested more work on “policy,” anticipating that working on policy would provide greater qualifications for a promotion.
Why Investigations Always Need to Look Twice
A lorry driver who’d just arrived at an depot was spotted weeing over pallets used for the delivery of food.
How SINS ful Are You?
In a recent blog, I mentioned that I attended a seminar presented by Professor Blondell discussing ethical fading in mediation. At one point, she mentioned the SINS scale which I had not heard about.
Stepping Up To Conflict
To become conflict masterful, it requires us to step up. In case you are wondering, this is different from facing conflict, i.e. accepting that it exists.
A Lawyer Who Likes to Coach: What’s Up with That?
In many ways, what coaches and lawyers do in the work place is very similar, just from a different point of view.
The NFL’s Moral Disengagement
There are approximately eight different ways to morally disengage, and I examine how this related to the NFL.
Why Investigations Always Need to Look Twice
We like things simple, and often that means not making the effort to understand the full picture and specific legal context.
Being Kind in Conflict
In the midst of interpersonal conflict, it’s difficult to be kind to the other person – no matter how kind a person we may usually be.
Flip the Problem to Illuminate Hidden Solutions
The way we approach problem solving influences the solutions we can see — and are willing to see.
Canadian Ombudsman Impartiality Is a Delicate Balance
The recent announcement that another major Canadian bank is withdrawing from the national banking ombudsman service in favour of a private dispute resolution service for customer banking complaints raises interesting questions about independence and impartiality.
A Glimpse into the Future of Alternative Dispute Resolution in China
ADR is growing, with more than 300 providers doing business in China and arbitration being regularly used.
New Mediator Self-Reflection Tool
Even though mediators work very closely with people when we mediate, typically no one else in the room shares our mediator perspective.
How Teams Can Work Together Despite Opposing Views
While most of us forge friendships with like-minded people who affirm our strongly held beliefs, we don’t choose our colleagues.
Effective Conflict Management versus a Quick “Fix”
Sometime potential individual clients or institutions and organizations who want to hire me are looking for a quick fix for their longstanding conflict management problems.
Getting Hitched? 6 Tips for Pre-Marriage Relationships
You’re getting married soon and you’re excited about it. But wait!
Does Your Pet Need a Divorce Lawyer?
Just like with child custody, determining who will take care of the pets after a divorce can be a difficult topic.
Disability, Conflict, and Adaptive Thinking
As a conflict resolution practitioner, one of my goals is to change the way people see conflict.
Our Pet Friendly Legislature (and other new Laws) for 2019!
At the start of each new year, I like to see what new laws our California Legislature has passed.
Mother Lode Claim Jump
The two groups were equally divided and the Superior Court was wise’in sending this to Mediation.
Hosting Gregorio Billikopf's Empathic Listening Audio Seminar
Last year, I came across an awesome free resource for learning mediation and as part of that, empathic listening.
Civil Discourse: The Means or the End?
This article discusses facilitating political dialogue with Make America Dinner Again.
Online Dispute Resolution Moves to the Courts
The second half of 2018 has seen a marked increase in conferences including, if not focused solely on, developments in Online Dispute Resolution and online mediation.
Why Everyone Should Take Mediation Training
Over the years I have been asked many times, by lawyers, Canadian law students and others, whether they should take mediation training. Most were interested in mediation, many participated as counsel at mediation but few planned to be full-time mediators.
The £1 Million Investigation
A lack of attention to investigating an accusation of assault has cost King’s College NHS Foundation Trust a reported £1 million payout.
Conflict Resolutions for 2019
I’d like to wish all of you the very best of health and happiness for the coming year. And may it be a peaceful one, too.
The Ripple Effect of Good Conflict Skills
When one person gets better conflict skills, the whole organization can shift.
4 Handy Principles for Deciding When You Can’t Agree
When you can’t agree even with your best effort, having fallback criteria can break the agreement logjam and allow you get on with other things.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
This article discusses a Florida Court-Ordered mediation with a Limited English Proficient (LEP) party.
My Favorite Resource Featuring Peter Salem
My Favorite Resource, features interviews with our court ADR friends across the country to learn about their favorite resource. This month, Resource Center Director Nicole Wilmet spoke with Peter Salem, Executive Director of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts to learn about his favorite resource.
Choose the Road Less Traveled in Conflict
Are you stuck in a rut in your relationship with someone?
Implicit Biases May Be A Good Thing!
There may be another and more positive way of looking at implicit biases; it is simply a question of “framing”.
New Trainers Guides
Every person, every organization, and every community faces conflict throughout the life cycle. These guides are designed to help everyone.