Shiv Martin's Blog

In every workplace I visit, whether it is a government agency, a school, or a fast-growing business, I see the same pattern. Teams do not fall apart because of one big blow-up. They start unravelling when hard conversations are avoided by leadership for too long. Time and time again, I see that the single business factor that impacts team culture is the ability of leadership to connect and earn the trust and respect of their team.

Whether you're a practising mediator looking to upskill, preparing for your NMAS accreditation, or simply curious about how mediation works behind the scenes, this article offers practical insight you can apply right away.

If you’re working in a school, you already know that conflict is part of the job. Whether it’s between colleagues, leadership teams, or with parents, tensions can bubble up quickly. If your work wasn’t already hard enough education children and managing their behaviour, dealing with grown ups can be just as challenging, if not hard at times. In my work supporting schools as a mediator and trainer, I’ve seen how powerful it can be when staff have the right tools to respond ear

Explore why cultural competency is essential for mediators and complaints handlers. Learn strategies to provide cultural safety, navigate cross-cultural conflict, and build inclusive resolution processes.

In recent mediation and conciliation workshops, I’ve been faced with a deceptively simple question: should cameras be on or off in online meetings? And when we have the option, should we insist on in-person mediation or allow online engagement?

Preventing workplace conflict starts well before tensions surface. Clear expectations, open dialogue, and a culture of accountability form the backbone of a harmonious work environment. Shiv Martin Consulting supports HR professionals and team leaders in tackling issues like bullying and employee grievances through early intervention and strategic planning. The goal isn’t just to manage disputes, but to reduce the need for mediation by addressing problems before they take roo

Learn how to deliver a powerful opening statement in mediation or conciliation. Build trust, set expectations, and foster collaboration from the very start.

Unresolved workplace conflict doesn’t just hurt morale. It slows down projects, erodes trust, and costs organisations time and money. HR teams and managers are often stuck in the middle, trying to navigate complex disputes without the right tools. That’s where workplace mediation training comes in. It’s a practical, evidence-based way to equip your people with the skills to handle conflict early, before it escalates.

If you work in conflict or complaints, whether as an HR leader, complaints manager, mediator, or frontline worker, you're probably already aware that there’s no single formula that works every time.

A big thank you to everyone who joined me at the National Investigations Symposium in Sydney on Tuesday 27 May 2025 for my full-day workshop on Dispute Resolution Micro Skills.

Explore how storytelling influences conflict and self-discovery. Learn how to rewrite limiting narratives, shift perspective, and turn conflict into growth.

Frontline healthcare and disability support staff pour their hearts into patient care, often working long shifts, juggling unpredictable rosters and carrying enormous emotional weight.