Conflict Resolution Tips

Written by: Soleida Perez, Program Director, ADR Learning Institute Something I’ve been thinking about lately is how easily we step into conflict that isn’t ours. As conflict practitioners, we’re trained to notice, respond, and support. It becomes second nature. But we’re also living in a moment where there is so much happening—globally and locally—that we can’t influence. Wars, violence, and ongoing suffering that we witness from a distance, but still feel deeply. It can leave us with a sense of helplessness, or a need to respond in some way. For many, these conflicts are not distant. Those connected through [...]

Written by: Paula Drouin, Founder, ADR Learning Institute There are times when overwhelmed is the only way to feel by all the suffering in the world caused by war. It seems we are all adjusting to the ‘new’ normal too frequently.  The minute you think it can’t get any worse, it does. One day, at a moment of overwhelm, I said Hey Google, ‘how can one person bring peace on Earth?’  This is a portion of the AI response I received: “While one person cannot single-handedly stop all global conflict, they can create a "culture of peace" that influences [...]

Written by: Soleida Perez, Program Director, ADR Learning Institute February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on history, lived experience, and the ongoing impact of systems shaped by power, exclusion, and inequality. In conflict resolution and dialogue work, these realities matter. They shape how conflict is experienced, whose voices are heard, and what is required for meaningful engagement and repair. Listening sits at the centre of this work. In a polarized world, people often arrive in conflict carrying different histories, narratives, and understandings of reality. Without listening that is intentional, informed, and attentive to context, dialogue becomes [...]

Written by: Paula Drouin, Founder and Director ADR International Group Inc. and ADR Learning Institute What does love and fear have to do with conflict and its resolution? What difference does it make? We are constantly creating the life we are experiencing, whether we are doing so consciously or not. Those big life decisions most often come down to a decision between two choices. One choice being fear based and the other love based. As an example, imagine you are not being treated well at work, and you are unhappy. Do you choose to stay out of [...]

By: Paula Drouin, Founder and Director ADR International Group Inc. and ADR Learning Institute Wrapping up the school year and entering a summer of reunions, family gatherings in campgrounds or each others village, city, farmland, or homestead. It is the time of year for celebrating graduations in both formal and less formal ways, surrounded by family and friends. We take time to look forward to a few lazy days or evenings of summer. Different smells, sounds, warmth coming from the sun instead of furnace vents, if like me you live in a cold climate. We plan outings and gatherings [...]

By: Paula Drouin, Founder and Director ADR International Group Inc. and ADR Learning Institute Kindness has been a foundational element in all our Conflict Resolution courses as a component of the K.E.N. Principle – Kindness, Engagement, and Neutral Mind, which we see as key ingredients to a successful relationship. However, very recently, I realized that showing up in the world as a kind person, not only to others but also to yourself, can be the medicine to prevent conflict and the medicine to cure conflict when it happens. I’ve always known that the journey to interpersonal conflict resolution [...]

By: Anita Veldhuisen Slomp, Instructor with ADR Learning Institute Sounds like a peculiar riddle, doesn’t it? I believe the answer can be found in a quote by Ursula K Le Guin, which says, “Love doesn't just sit there, like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; re-made all the time, made new.” Intrigued? In the email signature from an upcoming student to the ADR Learning Institute, is the quote from Paola Freire, an educational philosopher from Brazil: "Love is at the same time the foundation of dialogue and dialogue itself." This combination of words and ideas was an invitation for [...]

Everything I need to know as a mediator I am learning from being a Grandparent. By Paula Drouin, Founder and Director, ADR Learning Institute Spending New Year’s Eve alone with a two-year-old and a four-year-old can teach you what you need to know as a professional neutral facilitator, commonly referred to as a mediator.  The first thing I noticed was how slow the clock was ticking for me. It’s like time stands still. It felt like I’d been there for at least an hour but only 15 minutes had ticked by. Then I realized the grandsons were simply fully engaged [...]

Being a mediator for a quarter century has taught me a few things. Most recently I’ve been reminded of the value of being invisible and the level of humility it takes to master being a mediator.

What makes a great mediator? Turns out it is the ability to listen deeply and be fully present. Over twenty-five years being a mediator and delivering mediation training, I’ve gained a deep respect for the presence truly great mediators bring to their party’s negotiation.