Deception can present a significant challenge in conflict resolution. By the time parties “get to the table” the truth has taken a brutal beating and their versions of the facts differ. The difference in their expression of what happened often arises out of deception.
The Fruits of Kindness
April 13, 2010 by |
Few of us encounter such dramatic conversions. However, most of us face situations in which a kind gesture makes a real difference to someone, even someone who has fallen into harming others.
Bonaventure Provides Premise for Taming the Wolf
March 19, 2010 by |
In a presentation two weeks ago I shared the following quote from St. Bonaventure in order to explain a basic premise underlying the Taming the Wolf approach to conflict resolution.
Revisiting the Manhattan Declaration
February 2, 2010 by |
There are few innovations that compare with Facebook when it comes to no-waiting-required social feedback, particularly the type of feedback that identifies your considerable character flaws in graphic detail. Dare to suggest a popular plan of action might suffer from flaws…
Listening to the Story
December 18, 2009 by |
People love stories. We flock to the cinema to experience vicarious thrills, we seek the escape a novel can provide, and we find ourselves glued to the television, mesmerized by scripted drama or unscripted “reality.”
It Is Hereby Declared
December 1, 2009 by |
This past week the “Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience” was released. As a mediator who advocates spiritually transformative conflict resolution I have mixed feelings regarding the declaration.
Saint Francis of Assisi: Mediator or Political Activist? Part 1
In my quest to know St. Francis better I have encountered Franciscan views that cause me to question my assumptions, for example, opinions put forth by the Franciscan Action Network or FAN. In position papers and public announcements FAN paints a picture of Francis that is new to me. This discovery motivated me to explore the following questions: