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Silence is one of the most underutilized tools in human communication. In a world that rewards quick responses and constant input, the discipline to pause—to truly listen—has become a differentiator. Silence is not the absence of communication; it is a deliberate and strategic component of it. Listening to understand requires space. Most people listen with …

Nonprofit organizations are built on purpose. They exist to serve, to improve, to respond where markets and governments often fall short. That sense of mission is powerful, but it also introduces a distinct set of conflict dynamics that are more complex—and often more emotionally charged—than those found in for-profit environments. In nonprofits, disagreement is rarely …

Conflict in nonprofit organizations does not signal failure. It signals engagement. When people care deeply about a mission, disagreement is not only inevitable, it is evidence that the work matters. Organizations that recognize conflict as a natural byproduct of passionate people working on meaningful issues are better positioned to address it constructively. The question is …

When someone feels their “river of life” is stagnant or running dry, here is some helpful psychological advice using the river analogy: 1. Seek New Sources-  Just as a river can be replenished by tributaries, seek new experiences, hobbies, or learning opportunities to invigorate your life and bring fresh energy. 2.  Clear Obstacles-  Stagnation might be caused by obstacles …

Diplomacy and Innovation: Creating the Future in Difficult Conversations Innovation rarely begins with perfect agreement. Instead, it often emerges from tension—different perspectives, competing priorities, and strong opinions about what the future should look like. The challenge is not eliminating those differences, but learning how to work constructively within them. What if the key to breaking …

Playing chess is my hobby.  I enjoy the problem solving process.  Luck isn’t a factor.  Accountability of decisions made, as well as recognizing threats and opportunities, is the loose summation of this game.  I choose not to improve my game by studying and lessons.  Any improvement I get is by experience.   Perhaps it’s the satisfaction to troubleshoot and develop solutions myself.  Solving …

Life today feels like a river in flood season—relentless, unpredictable, and ready to overflow. Work deadlines, social media noise, and endless to-do lists surge like rushing water, threatening to overwhelm us. But just as a well-built river levee channels a torrent into a manageable flow, we can construct mental and emotional levees to control the …

So how can you recognize cognitive bias?  Some obvious traits are: A cognitive bias is a systematic pattern of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment.  Individuals create their own “subjective reality” from their perception of the input.  An individual’s construction of reality, not the objective input, may dictate their behavior in the world. Thus, cognitive biases may sometimes lead to perceptual …

Cynicism is especially active on social media.  Despite the harm negative rhetoric causes, cynics see theirselves as the protagonist. Below is a conversation where the White Rabbit gives Alice advice about how to protect herself from being hurt by words. “Do you love Me?” Alice asked. “No, I don’t love you!” replied the White Rabbit. Alice …

I like to read books about communication and problem solving. So far my favorite book, that spans both topics, is “Think Again” by Adam Grant. To me, the connectivity of this book to mediation is profound. I learned my facts must be questioned, tested, and revised if found to be lacking or wrong. For most …