Macbeth-Shakespeare on high conflict personalities
MACBETH – Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible to feeling as to sight? Or art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false creation Proceeding…
Case study-the benefits of conflict coaching
Late last year, a family lawyer asked me to assist as a conflict coach, in supporting one of her clients through his separation. I will call him Brian. Brian and his partner had married later in life and had two children. They had been together for about 12 years and he had been taken by…
Options for resolving family disputes out of court
Recently Resolutions Institute hosted an event that explored the changing landscape for resolving family disputes out of court. This highlighted the range of options available to suit particular situations and the role for lawyers and other professionals as gatekeepers. It is possible and indeed, there would appear to be a responsibility, to be aware of…
Lessons from Shakespeare’s Richard III
Why is Shakespeare as popular today as he was in his own time 400 years ago? Is it the beauty of his language, his incredible ability to paint a picture that captures the imagination so well, his intricate plots so full of suspense and intrigue, his characters, so often larger than life, but so real…
Case study-managing intake for greater insight
Recently, I participated in an FDR with a client, I will call Carl, who wanted to leave behind a very negative personal relationship and achieve a more positive parenting arrangement. During the settlement conference he displayed difficult behaviours that impacted significantly on the process. In hindsight I regret not recognizing the signs which would have…
Conflict prevention rather than cure
As professionals in the area of dispute resolution we acquire significant knowledge regarding the nature of conflict, and develop many skills to assist in managing and dealing with disputes. This week Resolutions Institute hosted a presentation by Olivia Davis and Professor Camilla Baasch Anderson where they suggested that these skills have a much wider application,…
Mindfulness-the power of Now
The notion that it is important to be centred, or internally balanced, to cope well with the stresses and pressures of life, is not new. Nor is the idea that to more effectively assist others to deal with conflict, it is crucial that we have developed self-reflection and learned to manage this ourselves. The ability…
Becoming a changemaker
During the last 30 years, I have often questioned what it means for me to be a lawyer-what do I stand for, and what are the values that are important to me? In hindsight I see that my answer to this question has been consistent, but the struggle to balance out my need to be…
Encouraging happier clients
As a professional working with families in conflict, our own presentation is crucial in assisting others to take control of their lives, deal with the conflict and move beyond this to a better place. If we can demonstrate the skill of happiness and long lasting wellbeing, based on inner peace and strength, then we are…
Understanding and dealing with the cycle of conflict
One of the striking aspects of observing and understanding conflict, is that a pattern often emerges unique to each individual and situation. Based on history of past experiences and perceptions, core beliefs, assumptions and biases are developed, that determine the reaction to a given situation. Over time these reactions become unconscious or intuitive, and entrenched…