What's Happening in Conflict Resolution [05.12.15]

fist press exercise

Conflict resolution activities: The fist press

Tammy Lenski- When I’m mediating, coaching, or training, there are moments I want to illustrate why resistance builds up. There are moments I want to help someone understand in a quick and visceral way that pushing their agenda relentlessly is contributing to getting things good and stuck.

In those moments, I often turn to one of my favorite conflict resolution activities, the Fist Press. It’s a 60-second exercise with an enduring message. I first saw a version years ago in a Tom Crum video and it never fails to make the point.

Fist press instructions

Try it right now and you’ll see its power. Turn to your spouse or teenager or colleague across the hall. Then…

Make a fist and hold it out in front of you, like you’re going to do a fist bump.
Ask them to make a fist the same way.

Read more [HERE].

Conflict and Culture–Why Geography Matters

The Olive Branch Blog- So, as many of you know by now, I’ve recently moved back to Hawaii with my family after spending seven years on the mainland.

And, frankly, we couldn’t be happier with our decision. But, just 13 days in, I’m experiencing the culture shock I remember having when I first moved to Hawaii at 23 years old.

In short, people here aren’t really into conflict.

Read more [HERE].

Getting to Yes – With Yourself -- Book Review

Book Cover

John Sturrock/William Ury- "In the morning when I look at myself in the mirror, I like to remind myself that I am seeing the person who is probably going to give me the most trouble that day, the opponent who will be the biggest obstacle to me getting what I truly want.”

So writes William Ury in his just published new book,Getting to Yes with Yourself. Those who attended Collaborative Scotland’s Day of Dialogue in September at which William Ury was our guest conversationalist by video link, or who were present at The Hub in Edinburgh in 2009 when he led a full day workshop, will recall a man of warmth and humility, combined with clarity and great wisdom.

The distinguished co-author of the seminal Getting to Yes has come to the conclusion that the missing piece in all his writing about dealing with conflict is the inner one.

Read more at Mediate.com [HERE].

We Do Negotiate With Terrorists

Let’s stop pretending we don’t, and craft better U.S. policy to protect American hostages.

By Joshua Keating

A masked, black-clad militant, who has been identified by the Washington Post newspaper as a Briton named Mohammed Emwazi.

Kent State Incident Helps Create Mediator

Janet Mueller explains the significance to her of May the Fourth. The violence that day led to the existence of an academic program that set her on the path to becoming a mediator. You can read her post here.