In this book Tversky argues that movement and actions are the foundation of thought, rather than language. The first part of the book explores how we represent the world in the mind, and the second part how we represent our mind in the world (e.g. by actions, maps, drawing, and art). The book shows how […]
WHAT I’VE BEEN READING: Mind in Motion by Barbara Tversky Read More »
In our Conflict Leadership Program last month, we discussed various challenges in our practice as mediators, conflict management coaches, and conflict management consultants. While there were a number of themes (including working with clients exhibiting challenging behaviours and managing strong emotions), surprisingly, the most commonly mentioned challenges were the limitations that are imposed by the systems
Challenges in our practice – hearing from the practitioners Read More »
This book is a fascinating account of how networks work. It explores how who we are connected to, directly and indirectly, can make a significant difference to things like power, opportunities, spread of infections, and dissemination of information. It also demonstrates how different kinds of connections (e.g. whether you are the hub of various connections,
WHAT I’VE BEEN READING: The Human Network by Matthew O. Jackson Read More »
As one of the reviewers said, this book will, in thirty year’s time remain a – possibly the – classic treatment of power in the English language. I revisited this book when preparing some advanced training about power in conflict. It’s one of the best overviews of power that I have come across – it’s
WHAT I’VE BEEN READING: Power by Steven Lukes Read More »
The Australian National Mediation Accreditation System Practice Standards refer to power in a number of parts: “A mediator must have knowledge [about] the dynamics of power and violence.” (Clause 10.1(a)(i)) “A mediator must be alert to changing balances of power in mediation and manage the mediation accordingly”. (Clause 6.1) “A mediator must have the ability
CRITICAL REFLECTION: Power balancing Read More »
I found this book absolutely fascinating. While I’ve read a lot about body language, this book is about something distinct and different. It is about the hand signals that we use in conjunction with speech, and how they can communicate and sometimes change what a person is thinking (both the person gesturing and the person
WHAT I’VE BEEN READING: Thinking with Your Hands by Susan Goldin-Meadow Read More »
In this book Riskin covers three different areas that are useful in managing conflict. The first part is a basic overview of various negotiation theories (positions and interests, emotions and core concerns, and difficult conversations). The second part introduces some different approaches to mindfulness practice. The third part explores Internal Family Systems and how this
WHAT I’VE BEEN READING: Managing Conflict Mindfully by Leonard L. Riskin Read More »
THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF CONFLICT MATTERS has been written by Carol Bowen, presenter of our webinar about menopause and conflict. In the past ten years of my conflict resolution practice, it became clear to me that there was an increase in my coaching work of people, roughly between the ages of 40 and 55, desperately
Menopause and conflict Read More »
This book is all about harnessing the power of intertemporal choice – that is, understanding how the choices we make today will have an impact on the future. Hershfield explores how we tend to think about and relate to our future self / selves, and how various approaches can lead to very different outcomes. He
WHAT I’VE BEEN READING: Your Future Self by Hal Hershfield Read More »
This just released book is a fascinating exploration of perfectionism – what it is, where it comes from, it’s impact, and how we can escape from it. Curran explains that perfectionism is much more than high standards and a tendency towards hard work. It’s an entire worldview – a way of existing that defines how
WHAT I’VE BEEN READING: The Perfection Trap by Thomas Curran Read More »
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