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Hello Friends and Supporters,
This month we are excited to share two stories featuring '22-'23 Teacher Training alum - an interview with mediator Nathalie Herren and an article by SAP featuring Felicia Winkelmann - two of the many perspectives from our cohort - as they work to advance understanding between parties in conflict while teaching others to do the same.
We also had Gary Friedman join The Other Chair to discuss the inspiration for his book Inside Out and the process conflict resolution professionals can follow to use self-reflection to make a difference. The Center is also announcing SCPI 2024, which will soon accept applications. Those interested are encouraged to inform us in advance, as trainers will work to ensure placement and participation from all levels of experience and background.
If you or someone you know could benefit from our flagship training, space is still available in the upcoming online 40-hour Working Creatively with Conflict program, which is just under two months away. Also, join us later this month for a Workplace Mediation webinar featuring Pat Lau and guests from Intel.
Thank you all for your work to bring together parties in conflict and for allowing the Center to help you on your conflict resolution journey.
Best,
James Dykeman
Executive Director
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FROM UNDERSTANDING TO IMPACT | |
20-years of conflict resolution work breaks new ground while bringing together parties in conflict through understanding
Nathalie Herren is no stranger to conflict resolution or the challenges presented not just by those in conflict but the culture and traditions surrounding popular models of conflict resolution and their application in different nations.
Herren previously studied international relations at the Geneva Graduate Institute, Business Administration at HEC Montréal, and European Master in Mediation at IUKB Sion. She has over 20 years of experience practicing in Europe and North and South America. She is a sworn mediator to the State of Geneva, accredited by Switzerland’s Swiss Chamber of Commercial Mediation (SCCM), and certified by the Swiss Mediation Federation (FSM) and International Mediation Institute (IMI).
Throughout her decades of experience and training, one approach to conflict resolution speaks to her the most, supporting her efforts to encourage parties in conflict to “think outside the box” when finding solutions together while emphasizing authentic communication.
“I wanted to focus my career on mediation because I felt creating a space for peace was important,” Herren said. “Working within existing systems and structures was nice, but I wanted to be independent and free to develop my way of working with individuals in conflict based on the model and method I found most effective and attentive to the human issues at play, including those of the mediator.”
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Mediation is not “a magic wand” for conflict resolution, but it can be a powerful way to mend work relationships. Here’s how it works at SAP.
By Diederichs Andrea, storyteller and mediator at SAP
Sleepless nights? Knots in your stomach on the way to work? No matter – if you just wait long enough, this conflict with your colleague will go away all by itself. At least, that’s we usually hope will happen.
That’s a totally understandable approach. Dealing with a conflict feels awkward at first, because most of us have never learned to do that. But it’s also a fact that disagreements in the workplace are unavoidable.
The good news is that SAP employees around the world have access to confidential mediation services through the SAP Global Ombuds Office to help them resolve workplace conflicts. Mediation is when a third party facilitates getting people to talk to each other again, helping clarify the situation when they are no longer able to do so on their own. This approach is particularly useful when the conflicting parties are willing to listen to one another, talk things out, and take ownership for finding a solution.
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Going Inside to Help Those Outside with Guest Gary Friedman
On this episode of The Other Chair, Gary Friedman, author, mediator, and co-founder of the Center for Understanding in Conflict, discusses the inspiration for his book Inside Out: How Conflict Professionals Can Use Self-Reflection to Help Their Clients.
Dive into the process conflict resolution professionals can take to be aware of their internal reactions, feelings, and emotions while being present to help parties in conflict, along with the value of finding support through peer groups to practice skills and grow in self-awareness.
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Want to share your experience bringing together parties in conflict? Contact james@understandinginconflict.org | | |
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Thank you to the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution for having us back on the Resolutions podcast to share the understanding-based approach to conflict resolution with their listeners!
In the second episode of a multi-part series, Alex Green IV has a conversation with Catherine Conner and Katherine Miller about the mechanics and the philosophy of the Center’s different approach to and style of mediation.
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CUC invites you to consider joining the next introductory cohort of SCPI, a six-month, online program, beginning in January 2024, where conflict resolution professionals commit to exploring together practices of self-reflection that are constructive for ourselves and productive for our clients.
Together we will:
- Learn about compassionately connecting with and understanding, in the context of our various histories, positions, and intersections, our deeper impulses fueling our commitment to working with people in conflict.
- Recognize barriers to self-understanding and constructive presence, such as general reactivity, judgment, insecurity, anger, or the desire for control.
- Work with those barriers in ways that bring us closer to ourselves and our clients.
- Explore SCPI concepts and skills through the specific experiences of cohort participants.
- Discuss how to integrate inner experience and external action.
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REGISTRATION TIMELINE AND EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
We anticipate accepting applications in September and registering participants by early October 2023. Meanwhile, we ask those interested in joining the 2024 SCPI cohort to let us know in advance by briefly responding to some questions to help us as we are fine-tuning session programming and finalizing registration costs.
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Our flagship experiential certificate training program centered around the Understanding-Based Model. | |
Realistic simulations, in which participants work through mediations from beginning to end, with coaching from our teachers, offer participants the chance to hone their skills and experience the emotional challenges faced by parties in dispute. Participants describe these different learning modes and their interplay as enjoyable, engaging, and rewarding. | |
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2023 Training Dates
Online
Sept. 27 & 28 and Oct. 5 - 7
West Coast - Green Gulch, CA
November 15 - 19
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Explore the transformative impact of integrating conflict resolution and mediation practices within your organization while fostering a culture of open communication, looping, and collaborative problem-solving to enhance employee morale, increase productivity, and create a harmonious work environment.
Join Catherine Conner and Pat Lau August 24, 2023 and learn practical strategies that empower teams to address conflicts constructively, resulting in improved teamwork, reduced stress, and enhanced organizational effectiveness.
CLE ELIGIBLE IN CALIFORNIA
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Delve into the critical importance of organizations adopting a measured and informed approach to conflict resolution, shed light on the detrimental consequences of mishandling conflicts, and highlight the value of proactive and strategic interventions.
Join Katherine Miller and Jennifer Sullivan on September 11, 2023 to learn how conflict assessment tools and effective communication strategies can support a conflict resolution culture, which helps teams unite when faced with stressful situations that could threaten an organization.
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Explore why understanding-based mediators refrain from telling people what to do and uncover the transformative potential of giving the power to the parties, using non-directive techniques rather than imposing solutions. Even when we might really want to step into the driver’s seat, supporting individuals to take ownership of the decisions will foster more lasting resolutions.
Join Catherine Conner and Caitlin Meredith on July 11, 2023 and gain a deeper understanding of why it’s worth taking a consistently non-coercive approach and how we can do it.
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Support the Center for Understanding in Conflict with a CUC Connect Membership and enjoy free interactive webinars, training discounts, and more! | | |
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CUC Connect Members
August Featured Webinar
The end game of any mediation is challenging. The parties’ original positions often come roaring back with a vengeance. Brainstorming options can work wonders to broaden the perspective of parties and help them see new synergistic possibilities for resolution.
In this webinar, Katherine Miller discusses techniques for brainstorming and then evaluating options that keep parties working together toward a resolution that truly works for all.
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