McKinlays.net

Untangling the Knots is SCCR's FREE practitioner course, supporting participants who work with families and young people to develop conflict resolution skills.

The course will cover the following topics relevant to the development of your skills:

• Conflict response styles
• Dynamics of conflict
• Effective communications

• Reactive or Reflective (Monkey v Lizard)
• Brain and Body connection (Cranial Cocktail)
• Encouraging a better understanding

• Anger and the brain (Keep the Heid)
• The Anger Cycle
• Conflict Resolution

The intro session will be on Monday 9th (10:00 - 11:00) , followed by session 2 on Wednesday 11th, Session 3 on Wednesday 18th and session 4 on Wednesday 25th September (all 10:00 - 12:30). You must attend all 4 sessions.

To enrol on the course and to learn more, email [email protected].

Criteria required to attend this course. Your place may be cancelled if you do not meet the requirements outlined below:

Anyone who has a role working directly with young people and their families who live in Scotland within the Third, Health, Criminal Justice, Parenting, Family, Education, Social and Housing, Mediation or Conflict Resolution sectors, either as a practitioner/volunteer, and who is able to make a sincere commitment to the duration of the course. The course is of a generic nature and has not been designed to deal with specialised or condition specific services.

Please note: Places may be cancelled to those not fulfilling the criteria.

It’s Fine (and Other Misunderstandings that Fuel Conflict)…

It’s Fine (and Other Misunderstandings that Fuel Conflict) Misunderstandings and assumptions about what another person means, or what the word they use means, can really fuel conflicts. I’ve written a lot about this in terms of intercultural miscommunications and bias, but it can happen when there are no obvious cultural differences as well.

Words really do matter. This is a really thought provoking and helpful article. For anyone working with others, there is lots to reflect on. In our attempts to make sense of things we are so prone to labelling and dismissing. Thre are so many brilliant examples here, of generalisations that become stereotypes.

www.linkedin.com

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1018450346318469&id=100044605381690

We love when John C. Maxwell uses self-deprecating humor when he communicates and leads others. He says, "Nothing takes down barriers like a joke at our own expense. It lets everyone know that we know we’re fallible and imperfect. Because we don’t take ourselves too seriously, no one else is expected to either."

So go ahead: laugh at yourself—everyone else is!

Interesting and helpful article on criticising with kindness…

How to Criticize with Kindness: Philosopher Daniel Dennett on the Four Steps to Arguing Intelligently “Just how charitable are you supposed to be when criticizing the views of an opponent?”

I was reminded again this afternoon of the value of mediation in providing a safe space to feel heard. This quote from Nancy Welsh remains in the forefront of my thinking as I reflect on my own practice.

Mediation can help find a way through workplace conflict …

“…the more leaders can try to bring people together to listen to each other the more chance there will be to resolve problems before relationships break”

Workplace conflict is growing in 2024 – how can businesses stop it? There are several reasons for the recent increase in disagreements between co-workers, but organisations can help by encouraging more listening, says Zoe Wigan

Whilst preparing to lead a workshop on navigating difficult conversations I am reminded of the importance of listening to all that isn’t said.

If you are interested in professional learning in engaging well with conflict then drop me a message.

This is a helpful reminder of the importance of listening to understand rather than respond.

5 Simple Habits of Amazing Listeners When we leave a conversation with a great listener, we feel truly seen and heard. Here’s how to listen well.

As an experienced and registered mediator, I have significant background in resolving disputes in the workplace, employment issues and in relationship challenges in a broad range of contexts. These include additional support needs in education, family and neighbour disputes and conflict in faith communities.

I am also a GTCS registered teacher and have extensive experience of leading professional learning, training and coaching in a broad range of areas associated with leadership and engaging well with conflict.

Please drop me a message if you would like to discuss how I can support your needs as either a mediator, coach or trainer.

In 2016, we launched - and this week we're marking its anniversary. Inspired by Dr. Dan Siegel's 'flipping your lid' theory, we brought together science, illustrations, a quiz and circuses (!) to talk about anger management.

'Aristotle once said, ‘Anybody can become angry, that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way – that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy.’

Read our blog to learn more.

https://www.scottishconflictresolution.org.uk/blog/oh-what-a-circus-happy-birthday-keep-the-heid

It’s not too late to book…

❗Last day to get your Early Bird tickets!❗

We are looking forward to our upcoming Clinic Conference 2024, "Learning through Practice: Mediation Clinics and Mediator Education", held on the 21st March 2024.

Our website is now live with more information to follow... https://bit.ly/clinicconference2024 and you can buy your tickets here...
https://bit.ly/conferencetickets2024

This may be of interest to students, mediators, and those looking to start their own mediation clinic.

We look forward to seeing you there!

This should be a brilliant opportunity for anyone wanting to consider mediation training …

Does conflict resolution interest you? Are you seeking to refine your mediation skills or to embark on a new journey towards becoming a mediator?

Whatever the case, there’s an exciting new professional Mediator and Mediation Skills Training course offered by Cyrenians Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution.

Kicking off on Monday, 8 January, the four-week Mediator an Mediation Skills Training course is a training program that not only equips you with the latest in mediation theory and practice but also offers a supportive environment for honing your skills.

The link to the blog below contains more information. If you'd like to enroll on the course or to learn more, you can email [email protected].

https://www.scottishconflictresolution.org.uk/blog/our-new-mediator-and-mediation-skills-training-course

I have been reminded again that mediation is not just about reaching an agreement. Although important, there are other aspects of the process that also matter. For example, when we are able to have a real conversation there is the chance to feel heard and understood.

An important reminder of the power of the simplest connection with other people. You never know what might happen next!

The Power Of 'Hello' When he was a child, Howard White's mother taught him the importance of a simple, polite greeting. Now an executive at Nike, White believes everyone he meets deserves to be acknowledged. For him, that begins with "hello."

As a mediator, encouraging empathy in engaging well with conflict is regularly in my thinking. With so many disputes and divisions in the online world, this book by Kaitlin Phillips, is well worth a read.

Book — Kaitlin Ugolik Phillips “Challenging readers to think about what it means to be empathetic in a technology-driven era, this will resonate with those trying to balance reliance on ‘always on’ technology with humanity and the capacity for empathy.” - Library Journal (starred review)

If you are looking for support in professional development then get in touch…. mckinlays.net

The Importance of Really Listening – For Ourselves, Others and Democracy https://mediate.com/the-importance-of-really-listening-for-ourselves-others-and-democracy/

If you are looking to build your leadership confidence and competence then get in touch.

https://mckinlays.net

Homepage | McKinlays A number of years ago, the American military coined the acronym, VUCA. This stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. In such a time as this, it has become even more important that individuals, teams and organisations invest in ensuring they are able to respond to the challenges....

Makes interesting reading …

Cambridge University's Jason Arday becomes youngest black professor Sociologist Prof Jason Arday trained as a PE teacher before turning to academia.

It has been a real privilege spending time this week stepping back with a wonderful group of senior school leaders taking time to reflect on our leadership journeys. Columba 1400

“not only does small talk lead us to “like” people, it may also be very informative.”
…The Informational Benefits of Small Talk! - Mediate.com


https://mediate.com/the-informational-benefits-of-small-talk/

The Informational Benefits of Small Talk! In previous posts, I have discussed the benefits of small talk. It is crucial to building trust and rapport at the start of any mediation. It is crucial for the mediator to get the parties to “like” her which is done through small talk. If the parties do not “like” the mediator, there will ....