Family businesses carry something most organisations do not: history, loyalty, and emotional investment that stretches far beyond the workplace. A business can be carried on for generations, at the same place, with the same dynamics and problems. When things work well, this can be a powerful advantage. Trust runs deep, decisions can be made quickly, and everyone shares a long-term
Spot the signs conflict needs workplace mediation, from avoidance to repeat issues. Learn the benefits of mediation in the workplace and what to do next.
Read moreIt seems like a contradiction. Healthy workplace conflict? When have you ever experienced this? But it is possible. Conflict can be diverted away from active and passive forms of aggression to constructive ways to encourage harmless competition between teams; to cultivate helpful discussions to facilitate feedback about an initiative; to mediate between teams in conflict so that new boundaries can
Read moreChristmas has a unique way of turning small moments into significant emotional experiences. Christmas arguments usually happen when families gather, expectations rise, people are tired, and old patterns resurface at precisely the wrong time. Even the most grounded adult can react quickly to a familiar tone, a long-standing criticism, or a comment that touches an old wound. De-escalation is not
Read moreChristmas can be both wonderful and emotionally draining. You’re suddenly surrounded by the people who knew you at your most vulnerable stage of life; your childhood. It’s no wonder so many adults experience family conflict at Christmas and feel pulled back into old roles they’ve worked hard to outgrow. Christmas isn’t just a date, it’s a ritual. Rituals hold emotional
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Thanksgiving can be meaningful, but it can also feel like emotional terrain you need to prepare for. You may already know who will make the first political comment, who will ask intrusive questions or who will dominate the table with their opinions, creating Thanksgiving conflict. As Thanksgiving approaches this week, I want you to know, you don’t have to go
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Thanksgiving can be a time of connection, warmth and family tradition. It can also be a time when political views collide, old patterns resurface and conversations escalate quickly. Political disagreements during family gatherings are common, and they rarely happen because people want to argue. They happen because politics is often tied to identity, values, safety and belonging. You cannot control
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Thanksgiving is meant to be a time for gratitude, not gritted teeth. But if you are already dreading the Thanksgiving family conflict, tension, or awkward conversations that come with the turkey, you are not alone. Many people feel anxious before family gatherings. Old conflicts resurface, someone brings up politics, and suddenly you are fighting the urge to walk away or
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Thanksgiving, or any major family gathering, can bring warmth, connection and laughter. But it also has the potential for controversial conversations to ruin the day. Someone mentions a political view, a value, or a topic you feel strongly about, and it triggers you. Suddenly, your heart pounds, your voice rises and you find yourself stepping into a conflict you’d rather
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I used to have a colleague who would get angry about everything. He was unapproachable, touchy and really negative. As a young trainee lawyer, it was really hard to know how to handle his outbursts in meetings or after an alcohol fueled lunch (this was a long time ago…) I would freeze, repress my own irritation with him and find
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