BATNA Defined
If you’re like me you may be uncomfortable negotiating for something that you don’t know much about. I run into this discomfort every time something goes wrong with my car. I am decidedly not a car guy. I don’t know the difference between a crankshaft and a camshaft, so I am understandably concerned when I […]
17 Camels | How Others Help Resolve Conflict
In this TED talk negotiation guru William Ury talks about the secret to peace and how others help resolve conflict. Click Here to open video in new window 17 Camels He starts with the story of three brothers who were willed 17 camels. The first brother was given half the camels, the second brother was […]
Mediation Dos and Don’ts | What you need to know
Mediation Dos and Don’ts Going into a mediation can be stressful. That stress is amplified if you are unrepresented. This infographic provides a mediation cheat sheet full of mediation dos and don’ts. If you follow this advice you have a much better chance of getting to a deal. Mediation Dos and Don’ts: Do Stay at […]
How Can Mandatory Mediation Be Voluntary?
Voluntary or Voluntold? Most Mediators, including me, think that one of the most foundational parts of mediation is its voluntariness. But we live in a world with mandatory mediation, so what gives? How can mediators define mediation by its voluntariness but support people being forced into mandatory mediation? Ontario Mandatory Mediation Program The Ontario Mandatory […]
Become a Better Negotiator
Become a Better Negotiator With Just 1 Question! What if I told you there is one question that just by asking it and listening to the answer would make you become a better negotiator? New and inexperienced negotiators assume that the most important question in a negotiation is: What’s in it for me. That’s a […]
Spectrum of Mediation: Evaluative Mediator
This is the first of a three part series on the spectrum of mediation. The spectrum of mediation host three main types or styles of mediation from the most direction and influence of the mediator to the least these types are, Evaluative Mediation, Facilitative Mediation and Transformational Mediation. This post focuses on what Evaluative Mediation […]
Trump vs Times
I spend a good portion of my time telling people about how mediation is a good option for resolving nearly all conflicts. I know you are asking when is mediation a bad idea? Is mediation ever a bad idea? Like all good rules there are some exceptions. Rarely mediation can be a waste of time. […]
5 Things to do if You’re Bullied at Work
Depending on who you believe between 40% (CBC & ILO) and 75%(Forbes) of all workers have been affected by bullying on the job. If you’re reading this, there is a good chance that you are one of them. In this post I am going to provide you 5 workplace tested ways to deal with workplace […]
What is Mediation and Why is it Useful?
What is Mediation? It is Neutral The mediator is a person outside the dispute that does not have any interests at stake. Neutrality is important, because during a mediation all parties need to have faith that the mediator is dedicated to the process for the sake of finding a mutually agreeable solution. It is Voluntary […]
Mediation: What’s the Deal with Getting to a Deal
I am often asked why mediators can get a deal that the parties themselves can’t. Mediators use a number of strategies and skills throughout the mediation process to help parties in conflict. The exact strategies they employ depend on the conflict and the parties since solutions need to be customized to what the parties are experiencing. […]