Interpersonal mediation is a powerful tool for resolving conflicts, fostering understanding, and building bridges between individuals. Drawing inspiration from the works of Jennifer Beer and Caroline Packard, particularly their insights in The Mediator's Handbook, this article outlines the essential steps in the mediation process. These steps provide a structured yet flexible framework for mediators to guide parties toward resolution.
Introduction Remember when you finished a meeting and were energized, not only by the decisions made, but by the meeting itself? Remember a time when issues were unresolved but you…
By Dr. Mark Smutny, President of Civic Reinventions, Inc. Introduction Faith-based organizations face unique challenges and opportunities that require a strategic planning approach deeply rooted in spiritual principles. Integrating spiritual…
By shifting from traditional meeting designs to Liberating Structures, organizations can unlock the full potential of their teams. These methods ensure that every voice is heard, every idea is valued, and every meeting becomes a springboard for creativity and innovation. It's time to breathe new life into our meetings and harness the collective intelligence of our groups.
Coaching is about empowering others to realize their full potential. While it’s tempting to offer advice and solutions, the most impactful coaching often comes from asking the right questions. Michael Bungay Stanier’s The Coaching Habit outlines seven transformative questions that foster deeper connections, inspire self-reflection, and drive meaningful change in clients.
Dr. Mark Smutny’s Complexity Science and Whole Systems Techniques: Harnessing Collective Intelligence explores how organizations and communities can navigate challenges in a fast-changing, interconnected world. Complexity science examines systems of interdependent elements that interact dynamically, resulting in emergent properties like adaptability and nonlinearity. Leaders are encouraged to move beyond command-and-control approaches and instead facilitate self-organization and adaptation. Whole systems techniques, such as Liberating Structures, offer practical methods to harness collective intelligence by democratizing participation and fostering collaboration. Techniques like 1-2-4-All, Troika Consulting, and 25/10 Crowd Sourcing enable groups to surface diverse perspectives, build ownership, and adapt to change. Real-world applications include strategic planning, conflict resolution, innovation workshops, and cultural change initiatives. By integrating complexity science with these techniques, leaders can create innovative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions, paving the way for resilient systems and thriving organizations.