Gordon White

#30 Organizational Life Through Four Lenses

One of my favourite frameworks for understanding organizational life is supplied by Bolman and Deal (2003) in Reframing Organizations. They articulate four lenses through which to view and understand organizations. Boleman and Deal capture each lens with a metaphor: Factory Family Temple Jungle   Factory Through the factory metaphor we understand organizational productivity: there are …

#30 Organizational Life Through Four Lenses Keep Reading »

#29 A Methodical Framework For High Conflict

High conflict calls for structure. You may not always stay within that structure. That’s OK. But you need a methodical framework to fall back on. The method below supports you in acting consciously rather than reactively. It enables you to manage the conversation constructively.  Possessing and using such a framework is helpful in all conflict. …

#29 A Methodical Framework For High Conflict Keep Reading »

#28 Relationship Repair On Teams

Members of an effective team bring passion to their work. That passion results is strong points of view and contributes to the intensity of differences. When the differences are experienced as incompatible, which at times is inevitable, conflict is born. Effective team members therefore require an interpersonal tolerance to differences and a capacity to engage …

#28 Relationship Repair On Teams Keep Reading »

#27 Staying With Conflict: A Small Lesson In Conflict Transformation

Bernie Mayer has been encouraging us to stay with conflict (Staying with Conflict, 2008). I recall a mediation experience from five years ago that enriched my understanding of what it means to stay with conflict, and how staying with conflict can be helpful. Two parents and former spouses were in conflict over what school their …

#27 Staying With Conflict: A Small Lesson In Conflict Transformation Keep Reading »

#26 The Dark Side of Human Nature: Jian Gomeshi, Psychopaths, The Nazi Doctors, and Me

Whether CBC radio host Jian Gomeshi assaulted his dates as alleged or not, we know that there are people who do. A positive that has arisen from Jian’s fall is the ensuing discourse on and off-line about the dark side of human nature. Unquestionably, some of the best journalistic reflections on violence against women have …

#26 The Dark Side of Human Nature: Jian Gomeshi, Psychopaths, The Nazi Doctors, and Me Keep Reading »

#25 Highlighted Differences Result In Mediation Settlement

The watershed moments in which disputes are resolved are many and varied. Recently, the participants late in a mediation, deviated from my suggested way of proceeding. They expressed their frank and full dissatisfaction and dislike of each other. I was surprised by how such expressions late in the mediation seemed to facilitate settlement. This was a …

#25 Highlighted Differences Result In Mediation Settlement Keep Reading »

#23 The Origins of Conflict and Creativity

Mediators such as myself sometimes speak to their clients about the creative opportunity that conflict may present. Really, how deep and foundational is this notion of a link between conflict and creative opportunity? Deep I think. Whether speaking of creativity in such a manner is an effective way to engage a mediation participant is another …

#23 The Origins of Conflict and Creativity Keep Reading »

#22 Vulnerability on Teams

  High performance teams where the group achieves surprising levels of productivity are rare. The consultant Patrick Lencioni writes about five important team capacities: trust, conflict engagement, commitment, accountability, and results focus. When referring to trust, which he places at the foundation of a well-functioning team, Lencioni stresses the vulnerability face of trust. Vulnerability means …

#22 Vulnerability on Teams Keep Reading »

Scroll to Top

Interested in responding to conflict more effectively?

GWC_Logo_Icon_WebRGB

Download my FREE pdf - "Seven Mistakes People Make In Conflict and How To Avoid Them"

You'll also receive my blog "The Conflict Journey"

*Your information will never be shared with any 3rd party.