simply better ways to negotiate and resolve conflict

Complicated stuff doesn't need more complication, it needs less.

Negotiating successfully in your personal and professional relationships shouldn't require you to memorize a dozen steps. Resolving conflict and reducing tension at work or home doesn't have to take months. Staying calm in difficult conversations shouldn't require a long recipe.

It's been said that in a complicated world, nothing stands out like simplicity. Dr. Tammy Lenski helps individuals and organizations use simply better ways to dramatically shift negotiations and conflict.


A better way to fix problems at work

16 May 2012
leaning stones

If you are a manager or leader, you will be pressed to problems other people have with each other by suggesting or implementing solutions of your own. So work is fertile ground for you to learn how to resist the temptation some of the time. Practice helping them fix problems themselves. You'll get credit for helping them develop and mature as employees. You'll stop being overwhelmed by the constant stream of help everyone needs and find more career-advancing ways to spend your day. And you'll … [continue reading]

About the author: Dr. Tammy Lenski helps individuals and organizations use simply better ways to dramatically shift negotiations and conflict. © 1997-2012 Tammy Lenski. All rights reserved. Read more posts in this category: Resolve conflict and negotiate

The agile conflict resolver: Going beyond the toolbox

8 May 2012
Missy in the agility tunnel

I attended a day-long canine agility seminar recently with one of my dogs. I've been running agility with my dogs for a couple of years and occasionally compete in trials. As I prepared to run a course the instructor had set up, I stood on the start line with my dog and mentally checked off the things I wanted to attend to as we ran: Draw the line. Remember to push out hard at that corner so she takes the outside obstacle. Keep the talking to a minimum. And for goodness sake, Tammy, try to … [continue reading]

About the author: Dr. Tammy Lenski helps individuals and organizations use simply better ways to dramatically shift negotiations and conflict. © 1997-2012 Tammy Lenski. All rights reserved. Read more posts in this category: Resolve conflict and negotiate

Getting interpersonal conflict unstuck at ACR

2 May 2012

Are you attending the Association for Conflict Resolution's national convention in September? If you are, I hope you'll consider attending a pre-conference workshop I've been invited to teach and help spread the word about it. I'll be unveiling, for the first time in depth, a simplified conflict resolution process I've developed over the last decade and have been using successfully with mediation, coaching, and consulting clients for several years. Participants will learn the basics of the … [continue reading]

About the author: Dr. Tammy Lenski helps individuals and organizations use simply better ways to dramatically shift negotiations and conflict. © 1997-2012 Tammy Lenski. All rights reserved. Read more posts in this category: News and announcements, Resolve conflict and negotiate

Putting out fires

27 April 2012

I was asked recently how long I've been "putting out fires." For quite a while, it turns out. When I was little I became an official Junior Forest Ranger, one of hundreds of thousands of children recruited by Smokey the Bear. (I know, I know, his correct name is Smokey Bear but I grew up when it was popular to add "the" and taking it back out of his name just makes it sound wrong to me.) My little Golden children's book had a drawing of tiny Smokey clinging to a charred tree, his feet … [continue reading]

About the author: Dr. Tammy Lenski helps individuals and organizations use simply better ways to dramatically shift negotiations and conflict. © 1997-2012 Tammy Lenski. All rights reserved. Read more posts in this category: Conflict resolution stories

Take it outside: Talk it out and walk it out

19 April 2012

I stepped onto the sidewalk with my two mediation clients. It was a beautiful, sunny day in Boston, about 70 degrees, with a very light breeze. It felt great to be outdoors. They thought so, too. I pointed down the block. "Let's head in the general direction of Chinatown," I said as we began to walk. Then I added, with a devilish tone, "And there's no turning around until something in the conflict really shifts for the two of you." They eyed me. "Do you mean that?" one asked. I shrugged. … [continue reading]

About the author: Dr. Tammy Lenski helps individuals and organizations use simply better ways to dramatically shift negotiations and conflict. © 1997-2012 Tammy Lenski. All rights reserved. Read more posts in this category: Resolve conflict and negotiate

How to start a negotiation or mediation like a pro (and an artist)

13 April 2012

My mediator friend N knows how to start a negotiation or mediation like no one else. His approach works equally well when you're mediating someone else's conflict as when you're in a negotiation of your own. He once had a mediation between two men who were not talking to one another. I have no idea what caused the rift or brought them to mediation, but they came in and sat down facing away from each other, arms folded across their chests. "I’m here and I’ll talk to you," said one of … [continue reading]

About the author: Dr. Tammy Lenski helps individuals and organizations use simply better ways to dramatically shift negotiations and conflict. © 1997-2012 Tammy Lenski. All rights reserved. Read more posts in this category: Conflict resolution stories, Resolve conflict and negotiate