Thoughts and Insights by Michael Gregory

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Conflict Resolution

Three figures having a discussion with various communication words imprinted on the figures
January 18th, 2021

Use these 10 rules to overcome conflict in business.

Conflict can be incredibly positive when parties bring multiple perspectives to address a concern and work together to overcome an obstacle with collaboration. When looking at conflict as an opportunity much can be accomplished. Unfortunately, sometimes the obstacle can be terribly negative, overly competitive, personalities can conflict, or a host of other concerns can make the situation tenuous and destructive in nature. The question is what can you do to overcome conflict in busines when this happens? Below are 10 ideas for you consideration to help with de-escalation and promoting collaboration.
The word "We" over the word "Me"
January 2nd, 2021

Want to increase productivity and growth in 2021? Collaborate even better with others.

Exploring ideas from 2020 blogs from mikegreg.com on collaboration, there are 31 blogs that cover various elements of collaboration. To start 2021 off right for you I have organized these into various categories that will help you to be more productive and enhance growth by being more collaborative with others. 
A screen shot of four people interacting in a pleasant negotiation
December 27th, 2020

Make these changes in virtual negotiations according to neuroscience

Technology is growing at an exponential rate and has drastically changed the way we do business today. Today with virtual arbitrations, mediations, negotiations, and facilitations this has caused significant changes in the way we do business. Face to face in person negotiations offer challenges. Neuroscientists have looked at how we work and behave in our ever-changing virtual environment. Here are some key insights on what is and is not working as well recommendations for you going forward. With the ever-expanding virtual world to resolve differences this article offers you insights to enhance your probability of success.
Two faces in silhouette facing each other with various words written on their silhouettes
December 21st, 2020

To win someone over be authentic and consider mirroring language

In a negotiation it is especially important to be authentic. Operate with compassion. That is be calm, confident, and competent. Be genuine. Be true to yourself first. Come with focus and an attitude to help. Having a firm understanding of self is important. With this as focus take listening to another level with “linguistic mirroring”. Linguistic mirroring is paying attention to the words, the tone, and the facial and body language of the other party and reflecting this back to the other party. This helps to build a connecting relationship. With a connecting relationship the other party is more apt to listen to you. The commentary below expands on this concept.
Smiling team members smiling and two shaking hands with a successful negotiation
December 5th, 2020

Attitude, smiling, and happiness in negotiations

Have you ever thought of how helpful it is to simply smile in a negotiation? Do you know how powerful this can be? This commentary focuses on the implications of your own attitude in a negotiation, explores the impact of smiling, and ends with how to simply make your life happier with potential positive impacts in your own negotiations. The applications are at work and in life. Personally, I have found these helpful and that is why I wanted to share this with you too.  
For yellow ping pong balls with sad to smiley faces painted on them
November 23rd, 2020

Address irrationality and emotion in a negotiation

Think about collaboration, dispute and conflict resolution, and negotiations. Have you been in a negotiation with someone and they seem to be entirely irrational? I mean what could they be thinking, right? Why would they promote such an irrational approach and suggestion? Emotions can take over and overtake us. The questions are what should you do and how should you address these types of situations. Keep in mind you are unique and so is everyone else
An impossible object that cannot be built
November 9th, 2020

This is how to overcome the irrational in a negotiation

Have you ever been in a negotiation with another party and they seemed to be totally irrational? Have you ever been in a negotiation with someone that was contentious and seemed to be illogical? Of course, you have. We all have. This can be at work, at home, and in other areas of your life. Have you ever wondered what you can do to prevent the situation, or if you are in the situation, what can you do to address the situation better? Here are some ideas to help you when find yourself in these types of situations.
Red white and blue republican elephant and democratic donkey on stage in front of an American flag with an electric shock between the two
October 30th, 2020

Partisanship, the Election and Conflict Resolution at Work

On the day after the election in 2016 I wrote a blog regarding “How to Help Those Feeling Anxiety Today”. Here we are nearly four years later and the situation is similar and possibly worse. That blog still has merit today. However, being four years older and a little wiser (I hope) I want to offer some insights this year just before the election to help you and others over the near future. It is expected that at least about half of the people at work will be unhappy and have anxiety once the election results are known. Going into election day, with all of the hype, over $1 billion spent on TV adds and other media, and the continuous bombardment on the news, we all could use a break.
A silhouette of a man and women speaking with each other and the balance of justice in the background
October 25th, 2020

This is the right way to regulate your emotions in a negotiation

What is the right way to regulate your emotions in a negotiation when someone attacks you personally or throws you a negative curve? You know what is it like when you “lose it” whether it be in a negotiation or in another situation. What should you do?  Here are some insights.
Organization chart in the background and silhouette's of a group of professionals in the foreground
October 17th, 2020

This is how to balance roles as an expert and as a consultant

You’re an expert witness. You investigated the facts, you developed your expert analysis, and now you have an expert report and opinion ready for court. This for example is what a business valuer provides their client. There it is. Case closed right? The next steps are depositions, critique the other side’s report and testify at trial. That is what many experts think and do. They do not advocate for the client, but they do advocate for their position. Is that enough? Is there a better way? Let’s explore this. May there be a better way for the expert to maintain integrity and offer more timely closure to the ultimate client saving time, money, energy, toil, mental health, and physical health?

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