Thoughts and Insights by Michael Gregory

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Working with Difficult People

Four people at the end of a table having a lively discussion
February 21st, 2021

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.
Share the road sign with a bicycle above it
February 6th, 2021

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.
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. 
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
Diverse group negotiating at a business meeting
November 17th, 2020

Apply these three techniques in a difficult negotiation

Here are three really good ideas for you to consider before you enter a tough negotiation. Whether this is a tough negotiation with a difficult party, a complex negotiation with many moving parts, or a very significant negotiation that may be potentially stressful and tiring, these three ideas can be very helpful. These are reframing your attitude and reappraising the situation, preparing a draft agreement ahead of time, and asking your counterpart for advice.
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.
Alberta Canada reflection of sky and mountains on lake
September 22nd, 2020

Apply the art of de-escalation to a conflict

Have you ever been in a conflict with someone about something and wanted to either prevent the situation from escalating, tone down the rhetoric, or wanted to de-escalate a tense situation? There are ways to address each of these types of situations. Ideas are presented here. From the book Peaceful Resolutions Chapter two focuses on The Art of De-escalation. Elements of that chapter are being offered here to help with each of these three situations.
Two caricatures of faces. One red and one blue each looking the opposite way
August 31st, 2020

This is how to overcome your conflicts

The Collaboration Effect® is all about connecting relationships, listening actively, and educating judiciously in order to build bridges to negotiate closure. This is a core statement. Although many blogs have been offered through this site relating to the application of The Collaboration Effect with the IRS, estate planning, exit planning, working with difficult people and in many other areas at my blog site, I want to take this opportunity to spend a little more time on each of these elements of The Collaboration Effect. This commentary is a little more detailed than any of the other blogs, but is still simply an introduction to the topic.
Man in suit pointing at clear screen where the button he is pointing at says audit
August 7th, 2020

Begin an Audit with the IRS with Collaboration

When you think of collaboration quite likely the IRS does not come to mind. Rather when you hear the term IRS you are not thinking of working together. Instead the thought of an IRS audit likely brings forth thoughts of anxiety, I don’t have time for this, why me and now what? With that in mind I thought explaining some basic tips after receiving an audit letter from the IRS may help. Especially as these tips relate to The Collaboration Effect. After all the IRS are people too.

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