by Ruth Sirman

The world of leadership has changed over the past few decades, both in what it encompasses and how it is exercised in many different arenas. These changes go beyond what a formal leader (for example, a CEO of a business or organization) does in terms of directing the organization or how a manager functions with his or her direct reports. Although CEOs and managers are still seen as leaders, leadership now also extends to how individuals interact with one another to deal with the many complex problems that we face in our world today and the impact that these have on the world of work. However there are many different visions and expectations of leadership – both from the leaders and from those they lead. Do we expect the leader to take charge and lead the assault on a problem – dictating how the process will unfold? Or are we more comfortable with a leader who works quietly in the background supporting others as they deal with the problem? Or is the leader right in there  working shoulder to shoulder with team members to figure out the best strategy and implement it?

by Ruth Sirman

Bill 168 is coming into force on June 15, 2010 in Ontario. What difference will it make? How will it affect you if you are an employer in Ontario, Canada? What impact will it have if you are an employee?

Bill 168 is following a trend for workplaces in Canada. There is increasing recognition that conflict, harassment and workplace violence are bad for business. Unhappy, stressed, tense and fearful employees are not as productive as they could be as they are busy trying to cope with whatever is causing them problems.

When I started in this business as a mediator back in the mid 90’s there was very little talk about the cost of conflict. Not that there was no conflict but it was not a topic that got much ‘air time’ and it was tough to make a business case to employers and senior managers to invest any time or resources in creating healthy workplaces. All of that is changing.

by Ruth Sirman

We human beings are pretty smart folks! We've sent people (and monkeys) to the moon, built a space station, invented ways to take pictures on Mars, built huge dams that change the course of major waterways, created technology that lets us communicate instantaneously virtually anywhere in the world and lots more... Yep - there's no doubt about it we've got the smarts to do just about anything...

So if we're so smart, then why are we in such a mess? Globally our environment is deteriorating around our ears, wars are being waged in more places than we can count, children die of starvation by the thousands and our ground water is too polluted to drink in much of the world and rapidly becoming polluted in much of the rest of the world.  Much of this is not as easily visible in North America as it is in other parts of the globe or at least not so ‘in your face’ so we can still ignore the mess we are in on a day to day basis. We're pretty insulated over here from the harsh realities facing our brothers and sisters around the world.

by Sarah Haufe

At some point, bullying has likely been a part of our life. Perhaps, we were the bully, or maybe the target or even a witness. For most of us, we believed that once we left the hallowed halls of academia, where bullying almost seemed to be a right of passage that had to be survived, these behaviours would be left behind. Unfortunately for many, the playground changed and the bullies got taller and older but not wiser, and we are now encountering them in the workplace.

Are Your Personal and Organizational Resolution Quotients (RQs) Working for You?
By Ruth Sirman, BSc. Acc. Mediator

Conflict pervades all aspects of our lives – at home, in our workplaces, nationally and globally. And very few human beings are born with an innate and natural competency in resolving conflict constructively. Most of us stumble through conflicts and difficult situations doing the best we can and trying to minimize the collateral damage to our lives and relationships.

By Ruth Sirman

Conflict in Schools
By Ruth Sirman, BSc, Acc. Med.

As children navigate through the social and structural constructs of the educational system, the occasional conflict is often a useful and necessary byproduct of their development of self in relation to others. However, if not handled constructively, conflict can also cause serious effects which may hamper a child’s ability to learn and grow.

Family Conflict
By Ruth Sirman, BSc. Acc. Med.

Family relationships are, for many, the cornerstones of both their child and adult lives. As we move through the years, we may change workplaces, move communities, or meet new friends. However, our family, be it biological or acquired, provides continuity and support in a way that is unique when compared with other relationships in our lives.