Diversity Articles
World Peace: How Do We Keep Nations from Thermonuclear War?
This article describes ideas on peace and justice from the career of Morton Deutsch.
Into the Mediator's Gray Zone
Like other mediators and arbitrators, I work in the gray zone of human affairs, the interstitial area between hard positions, contending oppositions, and powerfully different assertions about what is “the truth.”
Bill Richardson: America’s hostage negotiation strategy is broken
"The blame is theirs. The lesson for us is that America’s hostage negotiation strategy is broken."
Increased Complexity of Commercial Disputes Requires a New Approach
The cost of commercial litigation continues to rise, as a highly politicized world produces pervasive economic and policy uncertainty.
5 Counter-intuitive Conflict Resolution Habits Worth Developing
Conflict resolution skills alone will only get you so far.
The Wisdom of Native Americans
Native American wisdom focuses on healing wounds, and bringing peace through good feelings, not fear. While mediations are focused principally on legal issues, Native American wisdom teaches us to be mindful of a person's emotional damage as well.
Embrace Failure: Get A Good Result in Mediation
Instead of going into a mediation like it’s “déjà vu,” try to think about it as “vuja de.” In other words, it won’t be the same as it has been before.
Winning
In the analyses of this week's budget deal, whether from the politicians of both parties or from the pundits, mostly we are hearing about which side scored the most points.
Interview with Michael Lewis
This is the complete interview by Robert Benjamin with Michael Lewis, a long-time leader in the field of mediation, filmed as part of Mediate.com's ' Views from the Eye of the Storm' Series.
Fascinating Simulation of Political Mediation in Scotland
The deliberative process this mediator conducted is such a stark contrast to the sharp political polarization and poor communication in the US these days.
Negotiating Like a Woman - How Gender Impacts Communication between the Sexes
Anyone who has ever been married will admit that men and women argue differently. It should be no surprise to learn that women and men negotiate differently as well.
Let the Judge Decide! - The End of Conflict or Just the Beginning?
I have talked about peoples assumption that bringing a divorce case in front of the judge would end their conflict. On the contrary letting the judge decided might cause more conflict in the end.
Disputing at a Panchayat Meeting
When I was twenty-two years old, I did a two-year stint as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Here is a brief account of a dispute resolution meeting with a local governing council called the panchayat.
On Apologies…. Once Again!
If poorly worded, an apology can only exacerbate the situation rather than ease the hurt and pain caused by the initial faux pas.
New Jersey Mediation will Create a Hub for Mediation of International Disputes
David Weiss, the Director of the Institute for Dispute Resolution (IDR) at New Jersey City University. , is interviewed by Laura A. Kaster, President of the Justice Marie L. Garibaldi New Jersey Alternative Dispute Resolution Inn of Court.
Putting Away Childish Things
This article discusses engaging with “the enemy,” building relationships, separating people from the problem, listening to and understanding deeply, finding “win-win” solutions to intractable problems based on interests rather than polarised positions, and accepting and acknowledging our own imperfections.
De-escalate Anger With This Straightforward Invitation
When someone is emotionally swamped by anger, it can be helpful to redirect them temporarily away from their feelings and engage their cognitive capacities.
Navajo Dispute Resolution, Trump’s Tweets and the Lessons of Little Big Horn
I recently read a Daily Good story about Navajo Indian peacemaking, a seven-step process focused on restoring relationships, a notion the Navajo refer to as “K’e”.
The Election Wasn’t About What You Make, But About Who You Know
Two theories about conflict, and particularly about means of diminishing conflict, hold promise in understanding the election, though not necessarily in ameliorating the conflicts revealed there.
What I Learned from Studying Neuroscience about the Future of Mediation
Individual differences matter. To be of value, mediation has to draw on these differences to elicit how the parties make sense.
Why Civility Matters in Mediation
We are living in interesting times here in America. It is the first time in my lifetime that I can recall a conscious effort to keep my politics and views on issues of ethics and morality to myself–rather than risk making enemies of those whom I trusted to be friends.
Interview with Marvin Johnson
This is the complete interview by Robert Benjamin with Marvin Johnson, a national leader in the field of dispute resolution generally and on issues of elevating diversity in the ADR field, filmed as part of Mediate.com's 'Views from the Eye of the Storm' Video Series.
Building Common Ground Between Bubbles - Part 4 of 4
Troubled by the corrosive conflict stirred up by the election, I have written a series of posts about how we might move forward constructively, particularly on the personal (as distinct from the political) level.
Building Common Ground Between Bubbles - Part 2 of 4
The Presidential election and the week following has brought the deep divides in this nation to a head, and brought to light numerous issues in our country.
CONCUR case in just-published book: Joint Fact Finding in Urban and Environmental Planning Disputes
The article describes CONCUR's Chapter in the book: Desalination in California: The California Coastal Commission Poseidon Joint Fact Finding Process” and provides insight into this JFF process by highlighting quotes from participants involved in the case.
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