After being a “conflict professional” for a quarter of a century now, I have to tell you, the most tragic move I see in conflict starts in a very miniscule way. Do you know those times in your life when a little thing happens between you and another person you care about?  This little thing could be as small as an omission, a little white lie.  Perhaps you don’t tell someone something because you are afraid it will “hurt her feelings.” Or Continue Reading

Creative and artful ways of engaging conflict…. Recently, we had the pleasure of interviewing Michelle LeBaron for our onconflict podcast. Her episode is coming out March 14. One aspect of Michelle’s work that intrigues me, and that we didn’t get a chance to dive into, is her work with internationally known Canadian dancer and choreographer Margie Gillis.  Michelle and Margie did a lot of collaborating resulting in a book entitled The Continue Reading

My colleague and podcast co-host, Gordon White, and I have had the privilege of interviewing many guests, asking them questions about conflict.  One of our favourite questions is about how to motivate people to come to the table. Our most recent guest, Dr. Ben Hoffman, knows a lot about that.  He has spent a major part of his career engaging with the “bad guys.”  People he’s had to negotiate with include prisoners, hostage-takers, abusers of Continue Reading

  I’ve been teaching a lot lately and teaching sure has a way of bringing home the lessons you need to learn! Yesterday, I had the privilege of watching a group of professionals role play various difficult conversations they face in their work life.  No matter which group I visited to coach, or which scenario it was they were facing, I noted three key principles: 1. Go slow to go fast When someone wants to say something Continue Reading