Shiv Martin's Blog

Negotiation is an art, an instinct, and a skill. We are rarely taught how to negotiate in mainstream education and yet it is an indispensable part of all aspects of our lives. As children, we learn to negotiate by simply doing what works. We seek positive reinforcement, and once we make the connection between a particular negotiation style and rewards, we continue to use that style. For some of us this might mean cooperating, while others may be used to competing or demanding

Managing Workplace Conflict: Gradual or Sudden? “How did you go bankrupt?” “Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” - Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises While this quote originally describes financial ruin in Hemingway’s novel, it resonates with many types of conflict, particularly in the workplace. So, what can we do to prevent such a gradual yet sudden breakdown in relationships at work? The Gradual Decline Workplace relationships don’t typically fall apart overnight. The d

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...