I work with individuals and teams in organizational settings who are experiencing pain as a result of work-related conflict.
Although at times all that is needed to break the impasse of a conflict is conflict coaching on how to engage a difficult conversation productively. At other times, that is not enough. Especially in circumstances where parties have already tried to engage together and have repeatedly failed - and/or where there are other systemic factors at play.
Having someone come in to help you have a difficult conversation is sometimes called "mediation." There are many types of mediation styles and many types of mediators (it is not a regulated field). My mediation style is influenced by my work at the Centre for Conflict Resolution at the Justice Institute - where we teach and coach interest-based mediation and negotiation. However, I also see the value and power in transformative mediation and narrative. Most recently, I have been impressed with Corporate Circles - which remind me of Restorative Justice practices I learned as a Victim-Offender mediator - as applied to the corporate setting.
My process, when wearing my mediator hat, is often to start with one-on-one interviews with the people affected by a conflict - to establish connection and to help me gain a better understanding of the issues and who else might need to be at the negotiating table.
After that initial assessment, the next step is often a meeting with everyone impacted. An "interest-based" mediation has a set process – starting with an opening stage, moving to identifying the issues, exploring each issue to the point of mutual understanding, then helping parties to make more informed choices arising out of the new information they learn in mediation.
If you are interested in exploring this service for yourself, your team, or for your employees, email me and we can set up a time to discuss your needs.
