We've made it! This is the last in a series of posts about conflicts among volunteers. I'm excited to get this post published before the start of DOVIA Colorado's Conference on Volunteerism tomorrow. In the previous posts we've looked at common sources of conflict for volunteers who are Helpers for a Day, Sustaining Supporters, (Part … Continue reading Conflict in Volunteerism: Part 3
If you read the post from earlier this week and thought, "Wait, that doesn't fit my experience. What about....?" then this post is for you. On the last post, we explored two types of volunteering, the Helper for a Day and Sustaining Supporter types. Today let's dig into one more, the Would be Staff. Since … Continue reading Conflict in Volunteerism: Part 2
In ten days, I'll be presenting the keynote address The Colorado Conference on Volunteerism hosted by DOVIA Colorado (Directors of Volunteers in Agencies). I'm excited to bring ideas of Conflict Resolution to their work and have been wrestling with what ideas are most critical to share. To help myself focus and prepare for this event, … Continue reading Conflict in Volunteerism: Part 1
The facilitator and mediator in me has been really intrigued as the hype ramps up in advance of the first presidential debate tonight. In addition to the candidates themselves, much has been made of the role of the moderator and this person's influence on the debate process. While I love the attention to the way … Continue reading Behaviors for Learning: Election Style
Across fields, the benefits to co-laboring (collaboration) or working together continues to gain momentum. Given the benefits of having multiple minds working together on difficult problems, more and more attention is getting paid to the conditions that support successful collaboration. This is as true in K-12 education as it is in top scientific research. So … Continue reading Low Fares Bost Scientific Collaboration?
When we think trying to reduce workplace conflict, we typically think about it in terms of reducing stress, improving retention of good employees, and boosting productivity. In my mind, it's all a part of creating a thriving and supportive workplace culture. An recent blog post on Mediate.com got me thinking about workplace conflict management in … Continue reading Reducing Risk Through Conflict Management
Last week my life looked very different than it does this week...and I still found myself thinking hard about conflict, its prevention, and its resolution. To be clear, I was not practicing any mediation or facilitation. I was not drinking coffee with potential clients or collaborators. I wasn't in Colorado, or even in Oregon. Instead, … Continue reading Systems for Success: Salmon Style
I love the 4th of July. From the nostalgia I feel for our family rituals from my childhood to the timeless tradition of oohing and aahing as fireworks light up the sky, it's an amazing day. I love the way that parades are for every0ne, even tiny kids on tricycles. I love pool parties, flag … Continue reading Fireworks, Neighbors, Peace?
As a child, my years were punctuated with family gatherings: Easter at one aunt's house, Thanksgiving and Christmas at ours. Each celebration filling the house with dozens of aunts, uncles, cousins, and assorted "framily" (friends who have worked their way into family status). Each of these gatherings had its own traditions, birthday cakes and trampoline … Continue reading Family Histories Alive…and Hushed
Last week Learning Through Difference, LLC and I had cause for big celebration. A major client had reached a tentative agreement in their big-deal contract negotiation. I was thrilled with the team and couldn't have been prouder of them for the outcome they reached. As we entered the last day of our negotiations together, I … Continue reading Complexities of Collaboration
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