PART 1

In conflict, curiosity is essential! Conflict resolution practitioners are usually well trained in asking curious questions. However, while curious practitioners are terrific, it’s even better if we can encourage the clients we work with to become curious about (1) the other person; (2) the conflict; and (3) themselves. If we are going to support clients to become curious, we need to understand what makes people curious, how curiosity works, and what conditions promote or impede it. In this first part of the Curiosity Webinar Series we explore the fundamentals of curiosity. In part 2 we look in more detail at how to use what we know about curiosity in a conflict support role.

In the webinar you will:

Examine the history of and recent research into curiosity, particularly in neuroscience

Learn about different types, different directions and variations in curosity

Discover the benefits of curiosity

Explore the relationship between curiosity and other cognitive functions

Identify the conditions that support curiosity and those that impede it

About your trainer

Dr Samantha Hardy is the principal of Conflict Coaching International, and the Director and Lead Trainer for The Conflict Management Academy. She is an experienced mediator and conflict coach and the founder of the REAL Conflict Coaching System™. She provides conflict support to managers and leaders across the world. She also provides professional development training, supervision and mentorship to mediators and coaches who work with clients in conflict.

Sam has been accredited as a mediator under the Australian National Mediation Accreditation System and is a Certified Transformative Mediator by the US Institute of Conflict Transformation. She is a Certified Narrative Coach.

In 2021 Sam was awarded the Australian Resolution Institute Award for Service to Dispute Resolution for her leadership and innovation in the field. She was also awarded 2022 Conflict Coach of the Year at the Australian Dispute Resolution Awards.

Sam holds a PhD in Law and Conflict Resolution, as well as other postgraduate qualifications in adult education.

Sam is a well known trainer and university educator, holding adjunct appointments at a number of universities in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the USA.

Sam has also published widely in conflict resolution, including her books Dispute Resolution in Australia, Mediation for Lawyers and Conflict Coaching Fundamentals: Working with Conflict Stories.