Shiv Martin's Blog

Can humour ever be used effectively to reduce tensions in meetings? In my work, I often facilitate some pretty heavy meetings and mediations. I work in the spaces of workplace conflict, regulatory complaints, investigations, and conciliation. There's nothing funny about the content of the work I do, but I know that laughter can go a long way towards making conflict work more effective and enjoyable. Let’s be honest, most of the people around my table as a conflict resolver us

As an experienced conciliator and trainer, I’ve worked extensively across diverse cultural contexts and supported individuals living with...

Having had the privilege of training with and working closely alongside Bill Eddy, I hold the deepest respect for his expertise and groundbreaking contributions to the field of dispute resolution. His High Conflict Personality (HCP) theory has provided a vital framework for understanding individuals who engage in persistent, intense conflicts, particularly within the high-stakes arenas of family law and workplace mediation. Throughout my career as a mediation and conflict re

“If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first.” - Mark Twain I see it every year - the holidays bring both celebration and  conflict in the workplace. Whether it’s clearing the air before Christmas or navigating the challenges of the work Christmas party, now is the perfect time to tackle workplace tensions head-on and set your team up for a fresh start in 2025. Her

Here’s what I’m learning: as conflict resolution practitioners, we’re often so focused on helping others that we forget to take a step back and consider the toll our work can take on us. Whether it’s the mental load of managing difficult disputes or the emotional strain of dealing with trauma, this work requires resilience; both for us and for those we help. Lately, I’ve been diving into health psychology as part of my postgraduate studies and discovering how it can offer val

#workplacecomplaints #HRdisputes #negotiationskills #misconduct #mediation #disputeresolution A Practical Guide for a Healthier Workplace...

Mediation by an external third party is often seen as a go-to solution for workplace disputes. However, in my experience, it’s not always the best approach. Workplace conflicts are rarely confined to just an interpersonal dispute. Bringing in a mediator to resolve one issue might address the symptoms, but it’s unlikely to transform the underlying conflict culture of an organization. If you're an HR practitioner or People Leader seeking more support in managing workplace confl