Goal setting is a standard first step in most coaching models. However, goal setting is not always easy or even useful! In this article I will explore some of the potential downsides of goal setting and consider some possible alternatives. “Knowing how and when to set goals in coaching, knowing how to gauge the client’s readiness to […]
CRITICAL REFLECTION: Goal Setting Read More »
This book is a conversation between Bruce Perry (child psychiatrist and neuroscientist, child trauma specialist, and author of another excellent but emotionally difficult to read book The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog) and Oprah Winfrey, media leader and philanthropist, who has a special interest in child trauma. I wasn’t sure what to expect
WHAT I’VE BEEN READING: What Happened To You? by Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey Read More »
The author Joseph LeDoux is the world’s leading expert on fear and anxiety. This book is a follow up to his earlier book The Emotional Brain. In this book he critiques much of the historical work on fear (e.g. the role of the amygdala and the relationship between the physiological threat response and the feeling
WHAT I’VE BEEN READING: Anxious by Joseph LeDoux Read More »
Many of the challenges that arise when neurodiverse and neurotypical people are involved in conflict are due to each person’s different way of experiencing, expressing and regulating emotions, and also the neurotypical assumptions on which many of our conflict resolution processes are based. With greater understanding and flexible approaches in the way we support diverse people
Neurodiversity, emotions and conflict Read More »
This book was originally published in 1992, but was republished in 2022. It’s essential reading for anyone who works with people who have experienced trauma. The book is in two parts: the first part explores the experience of trauma, and the second the stages of recovery. The book provides an overview of the history of
WHAT I’VE BEEN READING: Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman Read More »
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 »
