How our brain works cannot easily be mapped into a computer. Ironically, the workings of a computer can be applied to our daily thought and practice, and lead to re-wiring of our brains. One of my earlier careers was as computer programmer, coding IBM software applications. If there was one programming technique I used more […]
If then else: The computer programmer's approach to mediating conflict
February 15, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Conversations with my dog and other non-judgemental beings
February 12, 2012 by · 5 Comments
I have conversations with my dog. Others in my family talk with our dog, too. My daughter says our dog is the heart of the family… sort of a (family) community connector! I’m not sure what talking to your dog says about one’s state-of-mind. Maybe having a “conversation” with your dog is something done by […]
12 Working-with-technology practices that will make you a better virtual facilitator
February 8, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Taking what you’re good at doing in-person and doing the same thing in the virtual world can be a challenge. Over the last few months I’ve facilitated many online meetings, both as a project facilitator and mediator. After each session, I usually journal what worked and/or what I have to work on, for being better […]
Our relationship is not just about you and me
February 5, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Sometimes we forget that we are part of something bigger. This can happen anytime. When we are in conflict, we tend to focus on the person we are in conflict with. There is something more, though, that speaks to our relationship. Our relationship Our relationship is not only about you and me. It’s also about […]
Be it resolved: We value our relationship over the agreement
February 2, 2012 by · 3 Comments
Congratulations. You resolved your differences. You settled your dispute and reached agreement on how to move forward. What happens though when something goes wrong down the road? What will pull you through, sustain you, the strength of your relationship or the terms of agreement? Navigate from the Future Agreements keep us focused on our goals. […]
Are you ready for the unexpected?
January 23, 2012 by · 2 Comments
How do you respond when someone throws a wrench into your day? Here’s how one classical musician responded, after a Nokia ring tone went off in the middle of his performance (thanks to my local fiddler/composer friend, Paul Gitlitz, for bringing this to my attention). (If the video not displaying, click here) I found this […]
U Connect: The Art of Making Connections to Resolve Disputes
January 17, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
I published my 2nd e-book this week, on Amazon. It’s titled: U Connect: The Art of Making Connections to Resolve Disputes. It’s a consolidation of some my observations, along with insights I’ve culled from others, around “making connections”. Here’s the Table of Contents and here’s the Introduction section: Disputes happen. How do we respond? One […]
January 6, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
A mediation is like a good holiday. Here’s why… —————————————————————- A weekend vacation trip does not give enough time to find the holiday ”sweet spot”. Bruce Kirkby wrote a great article in last weekend’s Globe & Mail about the holiday ”sweet spot”. As a veteran outdoors trip guide, he knows all about the magic and […]
Who Are You?
December 23, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Last night, I was out caroling in my neighbourhood. It was great fun. First we broke bread, i.e. sweets, and hot, spiced apple cider, at the organizer’s house. Someone brought Christmas carol song sheets. We headed out, about 20 of us, young and old. We worked the neighbourhood, looking for houses with lights on, the […]
