Shiv Martin's Blog

Entrenched views are one of the toughest challenges in mediation and conciliation, but they’re rarely about stubbornness alone. In this article, mediator and conciliation trainer Shiv Martin explores the psychology behind impasses and shares practical strategies for shifting stuck positions through safety, trust, and process clarity.

Discover why conflict resolution skills are essential for grassroots and community organisations. Learn how early intervention, communication and free workshops can strengthen teams and culture.

Conciliation is the quiet achiever of dispute resolution. Drawing from Ombudsman models, this article explores how organisations can use conciliation to build trust, improve fairness, and manage workplace conflict effectively. Learn key lessons and practical tips for leaders, HR, and complaints teams.

Why do leaders struggle with challenging workplace conversations? This guide explores the common mistakes managers make when avoiding conflict and offers proven strategies to handle workplace bullying, performance issues, and team tension with clarity and confidence. Practical tips for HR, mediators, and leaders included.

As the year wraps up, many HR professionals, managers, and staff step into high-stakes conversations about roles, pay, or performance. But one common mistake can derail these discussions: “going high.” This blog explores why inflated opening offers trigger defensiveness and how interest-based negotiation leads to trust, clarity, and sustainable outcomes in modern workplaces.

In my recent 3.5-hour workshop on trauma-informed mediation, I explored how neuroscience, psychology, and practical frameworks can transform conflict work. Trauma affects how people communicate, respond to stress, and engage with authority and without awareness, even well-intentioned processes can cause harm. By tailoring evidence-based training for public sector dispute resolution teams, I help practitioners build safety, trust, and empowerment into every stage of mediation

How can leaders handle intergenerational conflict in the workplace? From Baby Boomers to Gen Z, each generation brings unique values, communication styles, and expectations. This guide explores strategies for HR and managers to reduce friction, foster collaboration, and transform generational diversity into team strength.

Words carry power in conflict. The way we phrase a question can either build trust or trigger defensiveness. In this blog, Shiv Martin explores how neuroscience, language, and communication strategies transform high-stakes conversations - plus practical tips for leaders, HR teams, and mediators.

How can leaders handle workplace bullying with confidence? This guide for HR, managers, and mediators explores practical strategies to spot bullying early, respond effectively, and use mediation, conflict coaching, and training to reduce risks and build healthier workplace cultures.

Consistency in conciliation practice builds fairness, trust, and confidence in dispute resolution outcomes. This guide outlines four strategies for organisations: structured intake, transparent processes, conciliator training, and standardised follow-up. Learn how Shiv Martin Consulting supports government, healthcare, education, and corporate teams to strengthen conflict resolution systems.

How do personality traits impact workplace conflict? In this practical guide, Shiv Martin explores how the Big Five Personality Traits influence disputes and shares tips for leaders, HR managers, and complaints teams. Learn how workplace conflict resolution training and consulting can transform tension into stronger, more resilient teams.

How can leaders improve work meetings with personality science? Using George Kelly’s Personal Construct Theory, this blog explores why participants walk away with different experiences and how workplace facilitation, mediation, and conflict resolution training can make meetings more inclusive, structured, and productive.