Thoughts and Insights by Michael Gregory

This is how to build trust in virtual mediations

Trust is simply a “firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.”[i] Relationships are built on trust. This is hard enough in face-to-face disputes where one can hear the words, imply understanding with the tone, and interpret full body and facial expressions. With virtual mediations there are technical, administrative, interpersonal, and other issues that further hamper a clear understanding. These can undermine trust. The question is how can you build trust with virtual mediations? This article addresses three issues for your consideration regarding virtual mediations.   [i] https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&type=C211US0D20151102&p=Define...

Attitude in conflicts and collaboration matters

So much of what you do and say is shaped in part by your own attitude. In disputes and conflicts on the negative side and with collaboration and alignment on the positive side, attitude matters. In society today you see racial strife, uncertain economics, covid-19, less human touch, additional stress, and many other issues, it is amazingly easy to see the downside. On the upside with working from home, not having to commute, connecting virtually, spending more time at home, and having more time to concentrate on other things do you take time to reflect on what you are grateful for? Your attitude is key for so many of life’s twists and turns. This commentary explores your attitude and how you can impact your attitude towards conflict and collaboration

Leadership, Listening, and Collaboration

To collaborate with others, resolve disputes, overcome conflicts, heal relationships, empathize with others, and lead effectively you have to listen. Listening actively is one of the three key components of The Collaboration Effect®. The collaboration effect is all about connecting relationships, listening actively, and educating judiciously in order to build bridges to negotiate closure. This commentary is focusing on listening and taking you to a higher level related to listening. In the text, The Collaboration Effect, chapter 6 is simply entitled, Listening Actively. As the author of this text, I indicate this chapter is the most important chapter in the book. It is with that perspective I want to take you to listening even better going forward by introducing you to two experts that focus strictly on listening.

Mediation for eight possible business scenarios

Mediation is a tool that may be used to help resolve issues and conflict in the workplace. Mediation by a trained and qualified mediator can save time, money, mental toil, and resources.  A mediator’s collaborative style allows the parties to determine the outcome. The process allows for creativity. The parties explore the issues, feelings, and interests of everyone involved. The following commentary presents eight possible scenarios associated with work and businesses.

Mediation and the conflict resolution process

The may informally only need to address two parties exploring the facts, issues, feeling around those issues, and interests. More formal conflict resolution processes may involve mediation, arbitration, or litigation associated with dispute resolution. Alternative dispute resolution techniques are introduced, with an emphasis placed on mediation. Mediation is a rapidly growing alternative for those looking for assistance on addressing issues. When the parties want some help, want closure sooner, want to expend less resources, and want to be part of the decision-making process instead of having a decision imposed by a third party, mediation may be the answer.

Here are 10 tools for resolving conflict in the workplace with customers

We all have to work with various stakeholders but working with the full bell shape curve of customers can be difficult. This commentary focuses on 10 tools for resolving conflict in the workplace with customers. The old adage is “the customer is always right” for exceptional customer service. However, you know the customer is not always right. So, what can you do? Here are ten tools to help you when resolving conflicts with customers at work.

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. 

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.

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.

Collaboration, teamwork, and productivity during and post pandemic

With COVID-19, a vaccine on the way, the application of the vaccine for all of us by sometime this summer, we have a lot on our minds right now. It is hard to think about much beyond the near term with an expected higher peak over the next quarter at the same time as the vaccine beings to roll out to the public. Expectations need to be kept in check.  We still need to focus on staying healthy and taking care of ourselves and avoiding COVID-19.