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3 Tips for Harmonious Conversations at Holiday Gatherings

3 Tips for Harmonious Conversations at Holiday Gatherings

The holiday season is typically a time of joy and connection. However, when interacting with people during family gatherings who have different viewpoints from you, conversations can arise that become unproductive or tense. To ensure that everyone around your dinner...

Overcoming a Verbal Agreement that Goes Wrong

Overcoming a Verbal Agreement that Goes Wrong

The agricultural community is a place where most people know one another well. In some communities, farms go back generations with neighboring farms working side by side, season after season. Doing business on someone’s word and a handshake is still the way many...

Deconstructing the Mediation Process

Deconstructing the Mediation Process

Although most people think they know something about mediation, it remains a mysterious process to some. Often, people talk about mediation, arbitration, and negotiation almost interchangeably. Sometimes, others may confuse mediation and meditation. Mediation is the...

Mediator as Problem Solver

Mediator as Problem Solver

Mediation is often used as an alternate method of conflict resolution. Mediators are looked upon as crises responders swooping in at the last minute to disarm an explosive situation. In some cases this is true—news outlets often carry stories of union and management...