In this episode of "All Things Conflict," Maria welcomes lawyer and mediator Alex Dunlop, an expert in international dispute resolution. The conversation delves into the complexities of workplace conflicts, particularly at senior management levels, exploring common pitfalls such as pride, ego, and miscommunication. Alex shares insights from his extensive experience, emphasizing the importance of transparency and the often-overlooked psychological aspects of conflict, including the impact of media scrutiny and social dynamics reminiscent of schoolyard behavior. The discussion also touches on the challenges of power imbalances in mediation and the need for empathy and understanding in resolving disputes. With a blend of humor and wisdom, Alex and Maria highlight the inevitability of conflict and the potential for positive outcomes through effective communication and mediation strategies.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Common Causes of Conflict: Pride, ego, and miscommunication are often the primary drivers of conflict in workplace settings. Senior individuals may become entrenched in their positions due to fear of losing face, making resolution more challenging.

2. Impact of Perception vs. Reality: There is often a significant gap between how individuals perceive the consequences of conflict (e.g., fearing job loss) and the actual reality, which may not be as dire. This misperception can exacerbate anxiety and defensiveness.

3. Role of Transparency: A lack of transparency in communication can lead to catastrophization, where individuals fill information gaps with worst-case scenarios. Providing clear, honest communication can alleviate fears and reduce conflict.

4. Power Imbalance in Mediation: When mediating conflicts involving power imbalances, it is crucial to separate organizational hierarchy from individual disputes. Focusing on the personal dynamics between the parties can help address the underlying issues more effectively.

5. Conflict as a Natural Part of Life: Conflict is an inevitable aspect of human interaction, and rather than viewing it solely as negative, it can be seen as an opportunity for growth and understanding. Acknowledgment and empathy are often more desired outcomes than punitive measures.

BEST MOMENTS

1. "I think the answers usually are pretty simple, aren't they? Certainly pride and ego, for sure. That's probably my top two." - Alex Dunlop

2. "Whenever there's a gap in information, the human... we fill that gap with the worst case scenario." - Alex Dunlop

3. "I think a lot of fear of scapegoating in those type of organizations, particularly at very, very senior levels." - Alex Dunlop

4. "I think conflict's absolutely inevitable. The world would be a very, very dull place without it." - Alex Dunlop

5. "Nobody wakes up in the morning and thinks, right, I'm going to go and make somebody's life really miserable." - Alex Dunlop

SOCIAL LINKS

www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org

www.peacefulsolutions.org.uk

www.workplacehuddle.com

HOST BIO

Maria founded the Centre for Peaceful Solutions in response to the fatal shooting of a 7 year old in her neighbourhood. She developed a model of conflict resolution for violent crime using her brainchild, the Dialogue Road Map (DRM).

Over 30 years she has mediated everything from threat to life gang disputes to high stakes business deals gone wrong, Maria empowers people to resolve conflict without reliance on experts. So she trains violent prisoners to be facilitators, leaders to be effective communicators, teenagers to be peer mediators and neighbours to be tenant listeners within their respective communities.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Learn More About Us: https://www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org/