The phrase “nip it in the bud” is apparently derived from the de-budding of plants. The earlier form of the phrase was “nip in the bloome [sic]” and was cited in a romantic piece by Henry Chettle in 1595. It seems a sad origin, thinking of a flowering romance being nipped and prevented from blossoming. On the other hand, nipping of flower buds can facilitate repeat growth.

If we apply this notion of nipping it in the bud to conflict and consider firstly that it is a good thing to let…

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All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights," this is the first statement of Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since this declaration's adoption in 1948, political rights have been foregrounded. Now the time has come for humankind to give dignity sustainable attention. Human rights are embedded in dignity, but dignity has a larger…

Having recently delved neck-deep into the waters of mass online learning, I wanted to repost this blog I wrote a few months ago on The Werner Institute Blog, in order to hear more voices on this. The more I learn, the more convinced I am that the field of negotiation and dispute resolution is uniquely posed to be an important…

Caucus Saves The NHL Season!

The value of caucusing was on full display as it played a critical role in resolving the NHL lockout...…

Caucus Saves The NHL Season!

The value of caucusing was on full display as it played a critical role in resolving the NHL…

Hon. Nan R. Nolan (Ret.) Joins JAMS Chicago Resolution Center

January 7, 2013

Chicago – JAMS, the largest private provider of mediation and arbitration services worldwide, today announced the addition of Hon. Nan R. Nolan (Ret.) to its panel. Judge Nolan will be based in the JAMS Chicago Resolution Center. She will serve as an arbitrator, mediator…

I've gone on the record before, as saying that the field of negotiation and dispute resolution, with all our expertise in convening complex meetings, enhancing communication and allowing creativity to emerge, should take more of a stance in The Online Education Wars.  Particularly, given the dawning of the Age of the Mooc.

Putting…

There's a lot of confusion out there about transformative mediation.  For example, it's often stated that the goal of transformative mediation is to improve relationships.  While that is a common positive side effect of transformative mediation, it's not the mediator's goal.  My latest blog entry, available here, contains a brief description of where the…

There is something that doesn’t quite work about the expression, “You make me so angry” (or sad, disappointed, depressed, etc.). That is, none of us can really make someone an emotion. We may act or speak in ways that result in others experiencing negative feelings. Or, others may do or say things to which we react. However, in both cases we don’t and they don’t actually make the emotion happen.

This may sound as though I am ‘splitting hairs’. However, in my view, the notion inherent…

Let me start off by saying I’m not a huge fan of _______ for Dummies. Never have been. So when Victoria Pynchon asked me to review a copy(yes...I didn’t pay for it and am not being paid for this review) of Success as a Mediator for Dummies I was a little skeptical as to how good…

In today’s program, we are going to help you develop a plan for “Becoming Conflict Competent” in the new year. So, if you want to stop running away from those tense situations or maybe even curb your sharp or sarcastic tone when you are defending yourself, then listen in for a simple plan to help you change how you will deal with these conflict situations in the coming year. I am asking you to make 4 commitments on your journey to becoming conflict competent.…

I confess that spirituality is not my strong suit. It's up there with sports in terms of admirable things that don't jibe with my addled attention span or intellectual bandwidth or skills.  No disrespect to either thing.  They're just not my jam.

However,  I'm ever so grateful for what various faiths have brought to the peacebuilding field. I was (unsuccessfully) raised Catholic, but I admit that the peace and forgiveness-themed…

Start 2013 off by checking out some of our best webinars from '12

September- Reading People: Reliable Cues From The Face & Body

With Maggie Pazian [more here]

The face can display over ten thousand…