In previous blogs, I have discussed the notion of implicit or unconscious biases which are “…social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside their own conscious awareness. Everyone holds unconscious beliefs about various social and identity groups, and these biases stem from one’s tendency to organize social [Read More]
Many, many years ago, someone once said to me that people do not begin to negotiate until it is past the time to negotiate. How true this can be as borne out by a recent mediation. The matter involved the purchase and sale of a condo. The mediation was held [Read More]
One of the hardest things about settling a lawsuit is for the parties to let go. They have spent all this time and energy (mental and emotional) as well as money on it over a period of months (if not years) and now, in the face of an offer to [Read More]
When I took my very first mediation training course in 2000, the instructor emphasized the importance of introducing ourselves to each and every one in the room and shaking their hands when we-the mediator- walked into the room for the first time. I did not think much about it, and [Read More]
To some extent (some of us more so than others), we all procrastinate or put off things. Sometimes, the task is important or urgent, and sometimes it is not. Often, we will do the not so important or not so urgent task first because…? Our brain tells us to! In [Read More]
It happened again. A mediation that went nowhere fast when the defendant attended mediation “because” it was court-ordered. And… defendant offered zero in settlement. It was a property damage case. Plaintiff alleged her vehicle was side swiped while parked on the street overnight. The automobile insurance company had an “expert” [Read More]
Slow down, you move too fast You got to make the morning last Just kicking down the cobble stones Looking for fun and feelin' groovy (The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) Simon and Garfunkel (1966)) These lyrics seem more important than ever. A recent article posted on theconversation.com entitled [Read More]
My husband’s stay in the hospital has taught me a very basic lesson: knowing how to resolve disputes is a necessary tool in every aspect of life, especially in stressful situations such as hospital stays. This may get back to the notion discussed in an earlier blog, that some medical [Read More]
