If work has been feeling stale lately, you’re not alone. Many of us hit stretches where our days feel routine, energy is low, and it’s hard to remember what we even like about our jobs. If changing jobs isn’t practical—for any of the dozens of reasons that can be—I invite you to try a mindset […]
Feeling Stuck at Work? Try an Ombuds-Approved Appreciative Inquiry Tune-Up Read More »
May the 4th recently passed, a date playfully known as “Star Wars Day” thanks to the similar sound of “May the fourth be with you” and the iconic “May the Force be with you.” As many of you know, I enjoy using pop culture to illustrate conflict resolution concepts. Star Wars offers a fantastic lens
Negotiate Smarter: A Star Wars Lesson in Understanding Interests Read More »
Brené Brown, a leading researcher on vulnerability and shame, defines these concepts through grounded theory—building definitions based on real-life experiences. This sounds pretty straight forward, but what happens when we’re actually in the thick of it? My Story: Returning to Work After Maternity Leave In February of last year, I had my son, Harry, and
Vulnerability, Resilience, and the Stories We Tell Ourselves Read More »
Asking for help. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve had to learn how to do. Born with a strong independent streak, I always found ways to do things myself. I learned to climb and stretch when I couldn’t reach things (I’m very short); I puzzled over things needlessly when asking for help was not
Help Wanted: Lessons in Giving, Receiving, and Growing Together Read More »
It is the day after election day, and while you may be experiencing a range of emotions, it’s important to prioritize your mental, your emotional well-being, and your relationships. This post offers practical tips to help you manage post-election stress and maintain relationships. Tune In to Yourself: Set Healthy Boundaries: Practice Mindful Communication: Remember, it’s
Prioritize Self-Care: Navigating the Post-Election Day Landscape Read More »
Change is inevitable. It’s the transitions that often trip us up. Whether it’s a new job, a relationship change, or a major life event, understanding how to manage these shifts can make all the difference. This year, I had a baby and transitioned from my life before to my life with this new baby and
Navigating Life’s Transitions: A Framework for Success Read More »
AI is proving to be a valuable asset in many areas of our lives, and conflict resolution is no exception. It can help you articulate your feelings and needs clearly, even in the most challenging situations. By inputting a description of your conflict into a dedicated platform, like this one, AI can utilize Nonviolent Communication
AI: A Powerful Tool for Navigating Conflict Read More »
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.
Tame the Tension: 3 Ways Managers Can Approach Any Conflict Read More »
Spring is here and with it comes renewed thoughts of my favorite trail to hike each year: Herman’s Gulch. And this year is a bit different from others because I am recently postpartum. Being pregnant last year and having a baby early this year, right now I am not in any kind of shape to
Conquering Conflict: Lessons from a Postpartum Hike Read More »
Jenna has been with her organization for two years. Recently, her colleague Sam became her supervisor, and their dynamic changed, taking a turn for the worse. Sam questions Jenna’s intentions in team meetings, reassigns projects to a less senior member, and pressures the team with unrealistic deadlines. This has left Jenna feeling anxious, working long hours,
Quick Tips to Turn Your Working Relationship Around Read More »