Online Dispute Resolution is a green business

Collaboration is good. There can be a result that flows from people working together, that surpasses the sum of their individual contributions. Such is the case with ODR: The next green giant, a paper authored by Noam Ebner (@NoamEbner on Twitter) and Colleen Getz, with background support from Susanna Jani (@DistanceProject). It’s about ODR (Online […]

Nowhere Else on Earth

With good collaboration, anything is possible. Collaboration in the Rain Forest Up the coast from where I live in British Columbia is a one of our world’s natural treasures, the Great Bear Rain Forest.  It’s the context for an epic collaboration, involving environmental groups, government, forest industry and First Nations.   It’s also the context for […]

Puente Theatre: Community Innovation

It’s from the edges of our life that some of our greatest opportunities for learning and growth come.  I can safely say theatrical experience is at the edge of my life. So, when I met with the Lina de Guevara this week, for a conversation, I knew I was going to discover some new things.  […]

Ride the waves: How participation in a Twitter chat can benefit you and your community

If you are looking for some experiential social media learning, in a supportive environment, Twitter chats make a good bet. I particularly enjoy the ADRHub.com Twitter chats.  They are held the last Wednesday of each month.  Most of the folks who participate are mediators, and other professionals, who practice non-adversarial approaches to conflict resolution.  We’re […]

The Railway Switchman and The Mediator: Your Relationship Guides

  The railway switchman and the mediator. So different, yet so much alike. Both focus on relationships. The switchman: Knows where the trains are coming from Sees where the trains want to go Looks ahead to the crossings and transfer points Safely guides the trains forward to their new destinations Like a switchman, the mediator […]

Looking Back: 30 Lessons for Living from the Wisest Americans

I’m a semi-regular viewer of the PBS Newshour.  I especially enjoy that TV program when it offers up a serendipitous connection.  A recent show did just that.  It included an interview of Karl Pillemer, noted gerontologist, and Professor of Human Development at Cornell University. The interview context was his new book, 30 Lessons for Living: […]

12 Steps to a Life of Extraordinary Collaboration

There is no shortage of big problems facing us today; in our communities, cities, globally!  These problems are complex.  There are many parts to the problem, and how all the parts connect together can be a mystery.  What the solution is, another mystery. What to do? Collaborate. (You knew I’d say that, right?) And, the bigger […]

Cinnie Noble and the Conflict Coaching Guild on LinkedIn

The coaches coach.  That’s sort of how I think of Cinnie Noble.  I’ve gotten to know Cinnie a bit over the last couple of years, through social media, and via reading her excellent book, Conflict Management Coaching: The CINERGY Model. The other day I actually had my first opportunity to chat with Cinnie, via Skype. […]

What if an Aboriginal mindset governed Canada?

  The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada is coming to my city next month.  Next week its in neighbouring towns.  It’s making the rounds on Vancouver Island.  It’s on a long journey. Why is it here? In the Commission’s own words, For over 100 years in Canada, Aboriginal children were removed from their families […]

Cooking, Faith and Community Building in Victoria

Do not rub your eyes after chopping a bunch of green chilli peppers.  For me, this learning opportunity took place at a recent cooking class and cultural event that I attended, hosted by the Hindu faith community.  Not only did I learn a better way to work with chillies (rub your hands with cooking oil […]