3 Tips to Help You & Your Organization Manage Conflict Right Now
70% of workers claim that right now is the most stressful time of their entire professional careers. A global pandemic, working from home, virtual classrooms, and an uncertain economy are all contributing factors to these high levels of stress. Higher stress levels combined with social distancing and remote communications can…
How Taking a Detour can lead to Greater Fulfillment in Your Work
My 7-year daughter has a good friend who lives right up the street. Since this friend lives so close, my daughter and I will often walk her home when they are done playing together at our house. We usually take the same short route to her house but, last night…
From Repetition to Resolution
Do you ever feel like you are caught in a conflict cycle with someone else? You keep having the same argument, or the same thing is repeated, over and over again with no way out? Conflict resolution practitioners know that when someone keeps repeating themselves – mentioning the same issue,…
Mini-Breaks are the New Thing!
The phrase “let’s take a break” has vastly different meanings to different people. For some it may mean a quick stand and stretch break at their desk or a pause to grab a second cup of coffee down the hallway. For others, a break means going for a long walk,…
Worst Practices in Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Seven Things to Avoid
Not all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training efforts are created equal. While recent events have prompted many organizations to focus on improving their DEI efforts, these initiatives often fail over the long term. They sound good and they’re well-intentioned, so why aren’t they more successful? In this final installment…
Emerging Trends and Opportunities in Workplace Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Recent events in America have revealed a chasm that’s existed for hundreds of years: systemic racism. To address it, many organizations are attempting to create stronger diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) change agendas. We’ve asked three experts to weigh in on recent trends they’ve seen in workplace DEI initiatives and the steps…
Words and Phrases that Transform Conversations II
Words That Generalize Word choice is often discredited as a major element of good communication, in favor of other elements such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. But the words you use play a crucial role in causing and in resolving conflict. If you introduced your friend…
Breaking the Brainstorming Habit
When I first became a trained mediator in the mid-90s, brainstorming was all the rage. Management journals touted the benefits of hosting in-person, group brainstorming to promote creativity in organizations. Leadership associations sponsored trainings on how to lead visual brainstorming activities in meetings. In fact, mediation course curriculums always included…
Words and Phrases that Transform Conversations
Language is a key factor in both causing and resolving conflict. A useful phrase that helps resolve and reduce conflict is “Can you help me understand”. Example: “Can you help me understand how you think that would help our reputation?” It is all too easy to attack another person by…
What You Can Do to Make Your Next Meeting More Effective
If you are responsible for an item on a meeting agenda, apply these simple criteria to make sure the time you are given is productive for everyone attending the meeting. Do you want discussion? NO: If the answer is no, be sure to advise attendees right away that this part…