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Trust

Two parties coming together and shaking hands with a map of the world behind them

March 13th, 2023

How can we build concensus within a group?

There are many benefits if parties facing a group decision reach an agreement via consensus rather than having an autocratic decision applied. The decision tends to be accepted, the parties have bought into the decision, the decision is more likely to be carried out. If you are looking for longer lasting solutions with engaged participants, leading to less turmoil, greater stability, and less turnover, read on.

A scattering of faces on a blue screen with more concentrated towards the center

February 20th, 2023

Want to build a culture of collaboration within your business?

What is collaboration versus communication? Communication involves the sharing of ideas. Collaboration is more than communication. Collaboration involves parties working towards a common goal. If you would like to enhance your skills in this area and need to work with others to work towards a common goal, read on. The idea for this commentary came from a Forbes article entitled “4 tips for building a culture of collaboration within your business”. This article begins with these four ideas and then I expand upon them to help you and add value going forward.

Four hands coming together with a fist pump

February 13th, 2023

The big lie and the cost to our economy

When you think about negotiations, you may think about a lot of things, but have you thought about racism and what it costs? I am not talking simply about bias. I have blogged on Women and Salary Negotiations, Business Valuers, the IRS, and Conflict Resolution – Part 1 and Part 2, Why Emotions Matter in Negotiations, and Conflict and Dispute Resolution in Cross Cultural Negotiations. These and related posts all tie into the cognitive, conscious, and unconscious bias we all have. Have you ever thought how much racial bias is costing our society? It all has to do with the big lie.

two people. One with hands on face and possibly crying. The other has arms crossed

October 10th, 2022

What mediation techniques should you use to resolve disputes between employees?

Invariably conflicts or disputes arise between employees for a variety of reasons. Often the best solution is for the two parties to determine how to work amicably with one another. However, sometimes these issues simmer over time or become caustic in nature. As a manager or peer this can poison a work environment. As a leader you may be called upon to work with the parties to help them come to a solution that everyone as a minimum can live with going forward. The hope would be to come to a solution where everyone is pleased with the final outcome. In reality often times the final solution maybe anywhere between these two extremes. So, how can you do this?

July 25th, 2022

Does lying in collaborative business deals really pay off?

As a promoter of collaboration, a mediator, a conflict resolution specialist, and a person that teaches ethics and negotiations, I did not initially appreciate the title of The Dark Side of Collaboration offered by Scientific America. However, the subtitle of “People working together often scheme to put profits ahead of telling the truth. New research points out ways to stop this behavior” gave me hope. I found this article extremely helpful and enlightening. This commentary that follows shares some of the highlights of that article and offers some additional observations.

Hammer coming down on a nail with statement "I'm the boss"

July 4th, 2022

Should you lead with compassion, toughness, or empathy –why does this matter?

To avoid negative conflict and disputes and to promote collaboration, alignment, and purpose it is important to lead with compassion, have appropriate toughness, and listen with empathy. As a leader all of these matter. When someone is not performing well how should you proceed? Frustration is often a first response. I am sure you can relate. Especially if it reflects negatively on you. Responding with negative reinforcement is an initial knee jerk reaction, but research shows that when confronted with an underperforming employee that compassion and curiosity with suspended judgment works better. With appropriate coaching to the individual, you may have far better results. Compassion and empathy build trust. You want greater trust to promote improvement.

Two red open hands. One facing up and the other facing down. They are nearly touching each other

June 6th, 2022

Too much trust can actually undermine collaboration

Trust is fundamental to business success, but too much trust may actually undermine collaboration based on an article in the Harvard Business Review by Per Hugander entitled “When Trust Takes Away from Effective Collaboration.” This can lead to conflict, disputes, frustration, lost productivity, poorer relationships, and more. For example, an employee may withhold information or share incorrect information when bad news has to be given to avoid conflict. To promote collaboration with your leadership there needs to be a balance between trust and collaboration. The commentary that follows summarizes key points from that article and offers insights based on this author’s experiences to help you in application.

Person at their home stand up work station

April 4th, 2022

Build Collaboration into your hybrid workplace

Collaboration equity in your hybrid workplace ensures an environment that minimizes conflict and disputes while maximizing engagement, customer service, and profitability. This article addresses how to have a flexible, compassionate, and meaningful workplace where the best and brightest want to work and stay. Many businesses including Google are trying to figure out how to do this right. As firms consider how to address collaboration with an ever changing environment it is clear that collaboration equity where everyone feels valued, the entire team gels and performs much better.

Man looking down with hand on his forehead looking very distraught

March 14th, 2022

How to respond to clients in crisis

Have you ever had a potential client or client contact you upset? Someone may have referred them, simply found you on the internet, or they are one of your long term clients. It really does not matter. What matters is that they are currently concerned about something, need help, and have reached out to you in the hope that you can help them. So, what skills do you need? You need to listen, de-escalate the situation, network with the experts you know that could help, and help them through this crisis. Here are some thoughts to help you.

December 20th, 2021

Here are ten ideas from positive psychology on how to be happier and more productive

In an article from the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California at Berkley the author, James McConchie, PhD, looks at two of the great minds from the field of positive psychology and shares what he has found from their body of work. The author provides ten lessons learned from these two giants in the field, Ed Diener and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Starting with these ten lessons you are provided with additional commentary that you can use to be happier and more productive

Thoughts and Insights by Michael Gregory

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