Ombuds – ombuzz

Tame the Tension: 3 Ways Managers Can Approach Any Conflict

Leave a Comment / Communication, Conflict Analysis, Conflict Resolution, Conversations, Leadership, Ombuds, Reflection, The basics, Tips and Tricks / Ombuzz

As an Ombuds, I often hear from managers struggling to navigate conflict within their teams. Recently, a friend confided in me about the quick tempers and communication breakdowns happening amongst his employees. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, I offered some insights that can help anyone approach workplace conflict with a more empathetic and productive mindset. […]

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Unraveling Resolutions: Navigating Unmet Agreements

Leave a Comment / Communication, Conflict Resolution, Conversations, Next Steps, Ombuds, Relationships / Ombuzz

“About a month or so ago, my coworker and I had an informal mediation with our company’s organizational ombuds. It was a difficult conversation. My coworker and I brought our issues as well as our vulnerability. We cleared the air and really made an effort to understand each other. I was pleasantly surprised to learn

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Crafting Elegance: The Ombuds’ Art of Creating Elegant Solutions

Leave a Comment / Conflict Resolution, Next Steps, Ombuds, Relationships / Ombuzz

In her article Organizational Ombuds’ Sources of Power and Influence, Mary Rowe, Ombuds at MIT Sloan School of Management, discusses ten sources of power organizational ombuds use on behalf of their constituents, in working to support systemic change within their organization, and to bolster their profession. One of the sources of power Mary discusses is

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The Gossip Train: How Gossip Can Help Ombuds Work

Conflict Resolution, Conversations, Gossip, Ombuds, Reflection / Ombuzz

The Gossip Train is Ombuzz’s series of blog posts on all things gossip. We will explore the origins of gossip, why we gossip, the joys and dangers of gossip, and what you can do when gossip is not helpful! As we write this gossip series, I have been thinking about the relationship between gossip and

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The Power of the Intentional Pause

Anxiety, Authenticity, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Conversations, Courage, Listening, Next Steps, Ombuds, Reflection, Relationships, Stress, The basics, Tips and Tricks, Virtual Communication / Ombuzz

Have you ever been shocked or surprised about what is being said during a work meeting and not sure how to respond? If so, this blog post from CU Ombuds Melissa Connell is for you! In less than 5 minutes you can utilize the 3-step Intentional Pause which allows for space and an appropriate response while maintaining a positive working relationship with your colleagues.

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Mediation Tips for All

Communication, Conflict Resolution, Conversations, Listening, Ombuds, The basics, Tips and Tricks / Ombuzz

The first mediation I ever facilitated failed miserably. As a second year law student I had been assigned a “dog barking” case between neighbors. I assumed I could resolve it quickly and by lunchtime the parties would skip out of the conference room by fully satisfied with the outcome. The reality was ugly. Seven hours

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Organizational Ombuds: A Valuable Resource for Addressing Sexual Harassment

1 Comment / Ombuds / Ombuzz

This past spring, Elizabeth “Liz” Hill, Associate Director, University of Colorado Boulder Ombuds Office, had the pleasure of interviewing Shereen Bingham, Professor Emeritus and former Ombuds at the University of Nebraska Omaha, about the Journal of the International Ombuds Association (JIOA) Special Issue on Sexual Harassment and Discrimination. Shereen served as Guest Editor of the

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What is this feeling?!

Anxiety, Authenticity, Communication, Conversations, Courage, Mental Health, Ombuds, Reflection, Resilience, Stress, Tips and Tricks, Transition / Ombuzz

I recently facilitated a team building meeting in person for the first time since March 2020. I have worked with groups by facilitating conflict, team building, engaging in change management, facilitating strategic planning and decision making… and on and on… for the past 10 years. I have built a familiarity and comfort working with groups

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Radical Candor

Authenticity, Book Review, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Conversations, Courage, Ombuds, Reflection, Relationships, The basics, Tips and Tricks, Truth / Ombuzz

It’s that season again, where confusion abounds, anxiety is high, and frustration is available to all! Nope, not talking about spring…it’s performance evaluation season (cue the applause and jubilation)! In a recent survey I conducted with a school on campus, here were some of the descriptors about performance evaluations: ‘waste of time,’ ‘doesn’t help me

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Why it is Important to Embrace the Mess!

Authenticity, Conflict Resolution, Conversations, Courage, Next Steps, Ombuds, Reflection, Relationships, Resilience, Stress, The basics, Transition, Truth / Ombuzz

My friend is a home contractor. Clients once called him and said, “We need you to fix our kitchen cabinets.” During the walk through, my friend identified that the cabinets aren’t the problem. The problem is underneath the floor. If they want to eliminate the issues going forward, they need to address that and the

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