It’s crazy how something that’s a minor annoyance to us can mushroom into a full-blown dispute. Apart from my own mushrooms, I see this all the time, as a mediator. One party has a gut feeling that somethings not quite right. Before the dust has settled on that feeling, its magnified into something bigger. They […]
How conflict grows from “something’s not right, here” to “see you in court”
July 18, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
Manage your Workplace Conflict Fires as if you were a Forest Fire Control Expert
July 12, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
A good part of my home province, British Columbia, is on fire. I’m grateful, in more ways than one, to those who are fighting those fires. Due to the hot and dry conditions, there are hundreds of forest fires currently active, many of them out-of-control, across British Columbia. 14,000 people have, so far, been forced to […]
Seven Tips for Mediators based on insights from the climate change discourse
July 5, 2017 by · 1 Comment
I was at a social gathering the other night. My conversation partner was lamenting that their message, they work for an environmental agency, wasn’t getting through. Paraphrasing my friend, “All the facts are there. The planet is at peril. People still don’t get it, though. They carry on, as usual.” Alert to a timely opportunity […]
CESO support of Aboriginal communities’ development in Canada informs its International work
May 2, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
Last week, the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) sponsored an event in Victoria, coinciding with CESO’s 50th anniversary and National Volunteer Week. The event welcomed Volunteer Advisors, local government and community leaders, clients, and supporters. I’m a Volunteer Advisor with CESO. I attended. CESO is an international development organization working in Canada, with Aboriginal communities, and around the […]
Communication and Diplomacy: The skills workplace managers need to improve most
March 21, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
Raise your hand if you’ve been witness to a workplace conversation that goes something like this? Employee: I wish you had checked with me before making the decision. Manager: I just assumed that it worked for you. Employee: It puts me in a difficult position with the team. Manager: Don’t worry. I’ll talk to them. […]
