How we live our lives and interact with others every day is a choice.
Today I want to share five sources of information that you may find useful to help you with the choices you make on how you interact with others and work to resolve conflict at work, home and with others.
As a conflict resolution specialist focusing on business to government (IRS), business to business and within business conflicts (shareholder disputes, board of directors, management), I continue to learn from experts in the field of conflict resolution and apply what I learn to what I do. My focus is on facilitative mediation and negotiations. My latest book Peaceful Resolutions: A 60-step illustrated guide to the art of conflict resolution focuses on what I have learned and is in proof copy. It should be available very soon. I owe a lot to so many that helped me along the way. It is that spirit of giving that I want to share these five sources that I subscribe to that you too may find of interest
Anna Maravelas, L.P. M.A. at Thera Rising has a new blog entitled “The Conflict Savvy Brain, Skills for a Drama-Free Life.” I worked with Anna Maravelas and her staff for a couple of years a few years ago. I learned a lot from her and her associates, and I continue to partner with psychiatrists and neuroscientists to learn from them and apply what I learn to my work in conflict resolution.
Exploring her new blog, I signed on and I wanted to share this with those that also have an interest in this area. We can learn so much for an expert in the field and apply it in our daily lives.
A source and another friend I rely on is Erica Garms PhD. Erica wrote The Brain-Friendly Workplace and now has an accompanying workbook entitled Building a Brain Friendly Workbook Companion Workbook. I first went to coffee with Erica nearly five years ago. Attending group sessions that she offered to a select group coupled with her seminars, I continue to enhance my understanding of neuroscience and its implications to mediations and negotiations. I am also on her mailing list.
Another source I subscribe to that I want to bring to your attention is Yvette Erasmus. PsyD, LP. I find her weekly newsletter to be very useful. Recent topics have included: Will revenge make you feel better?, Listening from your heart, Do your words reflect what is in your heart?, and Self-blame vs. self-responsibility.
I also subscribe to The Greater Good at the University of California at Berkley. Their approach to bringing science to bear for a meaningful life is very helpful. I have learned from them the importance of mindfulness and taking 20 minutes a day twice a day to help clear my pre-frontal cortex for a healthier brain. I have previously shared some of their articles. Three I want to bring to your attention are: How to stop the racist in you, Do we need more empathetic judges?, and How mindfulness is changing law enforcement.
Volunteering and offering information to local law enforcement in the twin cities and Black Lives Matter, I feel strongly that what we do at work and in our personal lives reflects our values and beliefs. All budgets are moral budgets. This includes our time and our possessions. These four sources coupled with my faith help me. As a Christian I am motivated by the phrase my mother taught me, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” Finally, having attended the Carter Center weekend in June I want to promote their organization and again their video, Love is the Answer. The Carter Center takes actions to wage peace, fight disease and promote hope.
These five sources help me. Perhaps one or more of them may help you too.